I Almost Died Yesterday, But the Rest of the Week was Great!
I have seen and experienced so many things in the last few days - it's kind of a blur. If you wonder about the title of this post, and can't contain yourself, feel free to skip down to the bottom. Otherwise, carry on. (FYI: This is a longer-than-usual post.)
My formula each week is to take as many pictures as possible, because that is what helps me to remember things the best. Then, when I sit down to write my blog post, I scroll through all my pictures first. It gives me a good perspective of the week overall, and then I tend to write chronologically.
Monday: I drove over to Vidalia, GA to visit their genealogical library. I scored pretty big there, I think. (I haven't read through most of what I took pictures of yet - it's been too busy!!) I first spent 2 hours taking pictures of information contained in vertical files that used to belong to professional genealogists. The files had been donated to the library and were nicely alphabetized. Then, after a lunch break, I came back and photographed some interesting articles in pertinent county history books.
Probably the most interesting thing I found was this pamphlet celebrating the Bicentennial for the Midway Congregational Church of Midway, Liberty County, GA.
What made it so intriguing was that they did a Pageant to celebrate all the history from the area of Midway. And they had people play the parts of the actual early settlers - including my ancestors!! Take this first page, for example: down near the bottom on the left it shows Sarah Dunham Stacy. She was my 6th great grandmother!! And there was page after page listing all the historical people and what the setting was like at the time, and then "acted out" in an "episode". I wish I could have been there to see that!
By the time I left the Ladson Genealogical Library in Vidalia, I felt like my brain was about to explode with information. I had taken close to 150 photos of valuable information in the space of 3 hours. It was time to get outside and do something in nature. I stopped off to get some flowers and then I headed to the Old Shiloh Cemetery near Reidsville, GA.
I was able to find my 6th great grandfather, Michael McKenzie Mattox.
And my 6th great grandmother, Elizabeth Hartridge Joyce.
Then, as I was driving back to my AirBnb in Midway, I pulled over to photograph a cotton field in bloom. One of the most amazing experiences I've had so far. It may seem simple to some, but with everything I've been learning about my slave-owning ancestors and the lives of the slaves themselves, a simple thing as a cotton plant takes on a significant meaning for me.
Further down the road I made a point of stopping to investigate something I had seen on my way to Vidalia. I thought I had read somewhere in my research that Allen Barfield Flowers (my 3rd great grandfather) had purchased some property out on Taylor's Creek, but on further investigation, I later learned that it was actually Samuel Delk (my 5th great grandfather) who owned all the acres on Taylor's Creek. Anyway, it could not have been a coincidence that Taylor's Creek was also right next to Flowers Road!! Samuel Delk's granddaughter (Eliza Jane Baxter) married Allen Barfield Flowers!
Property along Flowers Road near Gum Branch, Liberty County, GA (both above and below)
That was a really special experience to just happen to drive past something so important! I had that happen numerous times this past week. And I love it each time. It reminds me that I am not in charge of what I'm doing. I am being guided and helped along the way.
I really enjoyed the hosts of my AirBnb in Midway, an older couple who were very willing to have conversation with me every evening and to discuss all the things I found. They had a very simple home, but their backyard was exquisite!!
click here for a short video:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ku6yHGndkmi3kbzo9
Tuesday: After I checked out of my AirBnb, I drove over to the Midway Museum again - this time to make copies and get information on my ancestors since they closed up early last Sunday. I spent about 90 minutes taking pictures of a LOT of pertinent genealogical data. Then Midge, a volunteer at the museum, offered to take me on a private tour of the old Midway Church!! It was something to behold.
Originally built in 1752, it was sadly destroyed during the American Revolution. This is the rebuilt Midway Church, established in 1792.
For more information, click here: https://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/midway.html
Midge informed me that the stairwell at the back led to the balcony seating area, the location where the slaves could come to church and at least participate. I was grateful that they had some accommodations.
The view looking down at the pulpit from the balcony.
The view from the pulpit:
She also gave me the key to unlock the gate of the old cemetery across the street. My heart leapt for joy!
Click here for a short video panning the awesomeness of the cemetery:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/1musknuGtjkbXZT86
This was such sacred ground and I could hardly believe that I was tiptoeing around on it.
I found my 7th great grandfather, John Quarterman. Born 1711 in South Carolina. Died here in 1765.
I'm so grateful that I had the chance to visit the Midway Museum, to get some research done, and to get a private tour of both the old church and the old cemetery.
Time to head south to Brunswick. It was only an hour's drive, which was nice. Along the way, I saw the Smallest Church in America. I didn't even get out of the car to take pictures, ha ha. It was about the size of a small shed.
Smallest Church is located at: US Hwy 17 South (I-95 Exit 67) near Darien, GA
My AirBnb lodging in Brunswick was far from my favorite. It was in an old house - which I normally love - but the two main things that didn't sit well with me were: 1) the decor was dark and oppressive and way too cluttery with just too much STUFF, and 2) the hosts were poor in the communication dept. So I spent 2 days in a lot of solitude.
The highlights of Brunswick for me were the PEOPLE in town and the old Victorian architecture everywhere. I walked everywhere to and from my lodging, passing this gargantuan beauty every day.
My favorite restaurant in Brunswick is called: Indigo Coastal Shanty. Not only is the food TO DIE FOR, but the workers treat you like you're a member of their own family. I loved it so much that I went there for dinner two nights in a row.
The second night, my waitress was Madison Maassen. (the spelling is correct) She was so interested in my journey of family history that she came over at one point to ask me some very specific questions about how to get started. I told her: Start with what you know, then expand by asking your family members for more information. I showed her the Family Tree app on my phone and we looked up her Grandpa and did some basic navigating on the app. She was so excited to go home and talk to her family and get started! I asked her if I could take her picture for my blog. (Sorry it turned out blurry - I didn't notice until later) In exchange, she asked me to write down my blog information so she could see it later. :) She was the most friendly waitress I've ever had. Very genuine.
Wednesday: I decided to take it easy for a change. So I went and got a massage in the morning, had a lovely lunch at Maggie Mae's (best shrimp salad sandwich and Brunswick stew!!), came back to the house to read for a while, and eventually headed out to Jekyll Island. It was only about 20 minutes away.
First I stopped at Driftwood Beach, at the north end of the Island. Beautiful, but basically just a TON of driftwood and a beautiful ocean. So I only stayed there briefly, talking to Scott at the same time on a video chat.
Then I rented a coaster bike mid-Island, and rode it several miles in a loop down to St. Andrews Beach at the southern tip. Thank goodness they gave me a map, because I definitely got lost a few times even WITH the map!
Click here for some fun videos of me while riding along:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/aLCmYzWWa3s7TPDY7
https://photos.app.goo.gl/8Wu2WKNFQqUmX9t57
I love a good sunset on the beach.
I sent this next one to my family after I turned the bike back in. I had ridden a solid 90 minutes nonstop and was a sweaty mess and my face was all red. But it was so fun! I want to find ways to ride a bike more often as I travel around.
Thursday: I visited one last important place in Brunswick before heading north to South Carolina. It happened to be just around the block from where I was staying, so I happily walked over.
This oak tree has been around since Revolutionary times!! What a cool feeling to stand there underneath its branches, pondering about all that the tree has seen over the centuries, through multiple wars, through hurricanes and many seasons of time.
On my way north, I stopped in Darien, McIntosh County, GA. My 2nd great grandmother, Valeria Candace Smith was born here, and I also have ancestors with the surname McIntosh. Darien was a cool little town, adjacent to St. Simons Island.
The fort was built in 1736 for protection against the Spaniards, and parts of the wall are still standing today.
They made their own type of cement back in those days, using oyster shells as part of the mix. It was called "Tabby".
The fort overlooks the Altamaha River, which goes out to sea.
Right down the street was the historic Fort King George, so I went there next. Occupied before, during, and after the Revolutionary War by both Patriots and the British.
I learned about how they made and used "medicines" back then. Very interesting!!
Walking around outside, I found an old Highlanders Cottage, an old cemetery with markers for Unknown Soldiers, and the remains of the fort itself. I love learning about history and seeing it with my own eyes helps me to visualize better what they went through at the time.
The very last thing I did before crossing the border was to find me some Peach Ice Cream!! It was really yummy! I especially enjoyed it because it was 86 degrees outside with 85% humidity! :)
Then on I trekked into South Carolina. (It was a bit windy ha ha)
Friday: I drove into downtown Charleston for some research at the College of Charleston Library. Picture tiny streets, like in San Francisco, with tons of cars, tons of students, and no place to park. I was lucky enough to get a paid parking spot right across the street from the library, but I could only stay a maximum of 2 hours. I would have to hustle.
Up on the 3rd floor, I found some things of interest, including this old map. My people were here in the 1600s and into the mid-to-late 1700s.
After the full 2 hours of jam-packing my brain with words, records, pages, etc. I needed some food. I drove away from the packed campus area and into the packed and touristy market area. I was lucky again with finding a paid parking spot for 2 hours.
For lunch, I ordered baked oysters (with butter, garlic and parmesan) and She Crab soup. It was delicious.
With happy tummy and a somewhat cleared head, I walked a few blocks over to one of the most interesting historical places nearby. The Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon.
Even though the sidewalks weren't that great for walking on (you had to watch every single step or you'd twist your ankle or trip), they were full of history, dating back to the 1700's. So I literally was walking where my ancestors used to walk.
Inside this one building, SO MANY important things took place. It was originally meant for commerce and trade. But it ended up being headquarters for both the Patriots and even the British for 2 1/2 years. South Carolina delegates signed the Declaration of Independence here. George Washington visited here. And the Constitution was ratified here.
While waiting for my tour down in the Dungeon, I learned a lot of about the slave trade, and what crops were grown in the Charleston area. They primarily grew rice, indigo and cotton. I learned about the different classes of people and what life was like for them.
If you are interested in seeing more and learning more, please click here for the full album of photos that I took in the Old Exchange:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/wNRK6U9bzjoKh5Px8
Down in the dungeon, everything was built to be symmetrical. Our tour guide told us the most amazing story!! She said that during the Revolutionary War, the British were coming and they had to think quickly about how to stash 14,200 pounds of gunpowder. They came up with a plan to store it down in the dungeon in a back area that wasn't being used, and then to build a wall to enclose everything. Since they had to work so quickly, this add-on was NOT symmetrical to the rest of the space.
When the British occupied this building for TWO and a HALF YEARS, they never once noticed the lack of symmetry, and the gunpowder was never discovered. When the war was over down in Charleston, they went in to assess the condition of the powder, assuming the worst. The bottom third was wasted and unusable due to water from the Bay in back of the building seeping in with the tide. But the top two thirds were usable! A miracle they really appreciated because gun powder was supposed to only last for a year in optimal conditions. But it had been 2 1/2 years in less than desirable conditions. Hallelujah that the gun powder didn't fall into the hands of the British!!
This is part of the original Half-Moon Battery wall, built to withstand the ebb and flow of the tide in back of the building.
And this is a panoramic view of the Bay behind the Old Exchange.
After I left here, I was just in awe of the birth of our nation. Absolute awe and wonder and gratitude.
I walked back to my car, only to discover that my next stop was literally right around the corner! So I put 30 more minutes on my parking meter and walked over to see St. Phillip's Church, the location where my 6th great grandparents (William Fletcher IV and Elizabeth McIntosh) were married in 1761.
Click here for a 10 second video:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/6wiVQtQKdQSYaUmu7
Buried in the St. Phillip's Cemetery are the two signers of the Declaration from South Carolina: Charles Pinckney and Edward Rutledge. Sadly, I couldn't get into the cemetery because the gates were locked.
Well let's not forget that this was also Valentine's Day!! I was blessed to be able to talk to Scott on the phone and connect with him across the ocean. Always a beautiful occasion when we get to talk.
My AirBnb hosts here are just the best! Chase and Kristina are so friendly and kind, and they are just so cute! They got married last April and are building a wonderful life together so far. He's a security guard at the state prison and she works from home doing payroll. They generously invited me to join them for dinner on Valentine's Day, which I happily accepted. Everything was so tasty: marinated and grilled steaks, along with shrimp and pasta with sauteed vegetables.
I picked up some fancy chocolates on my way home from the city as a token of my appreciation, so we enjoyed sharing those together.
Saturday: I decided to go visit the Colonial Dorchester State Historic Park, a mere 10 minutes away by car. The reason is because of that all-important name: Dorchester. The Dorchester Colony that came from England and everywhere they moved, they named their new establishment Dorchester. So Dorchester, South Carolina was no exception.
The nature trail around the park was especially nice. I chose to sit on a bench by the Ashley River for quite a while. It was peaceful and refreshing to just sit and be still. I read some scriptures, I pondered things, and I enjoyed listening to the birds calling back and forth across the river.
In addition to visiting the fort (in the middle of the park), I felt particularly connected to the old church. I know that my ancestors were a part of it and that they had indeed walked here as well. I know this because my spirit quickened as I approached it, and my eyes suddenly welled up with tears. I felt a powerful witness that my ancestors were indeed REAL PEOPLE. Not just a name on a document.
I took additional pictures around the park, including the informative signs explaining everything. To learn more, click here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/R4SY6Z3mNR2Us5PB9
I picked up on a clue that was on one of the signs for the old church. It mentioned that the Congregationalists worshiped two miles away. I was curious about this, since the Dorchester Colony was known for being Congregationalists (meaning that the power was in the hands of the congregation and not the government). Even though I had a spiritual experience here at the Anglican Church called St. George's, I decided to see if I could find the other church.
I found the location where it used to be. It is not still standing, but there was a marker at the old cemetery to explain further.
The gates were once again locked, so I could not access the cemetery. I was very sad about that. I know that it's highly likely that my ancestors have family members buried here, probably even young children. But because it was so long ago, even if I could get in, I doubt there is a marker still standing for those persons. I looked on Find-a-Grave while I stood at the gate, and didn't find anyone listed there. That doesn't mean that they aren't buried there. Maybe there is not a record of it. Maybe there was a spelling variation. But it was enough to at least stand there and be there at the gate.
And now I get to the point where this blog post got its title. So yesterday, Saturday, after my adventures and shopping and dinner, I was driving back to my lodging in Summerville, SC.
I drew a picture of what happened just 2 miles from home.
I am still in shock that I didn't die, or that my car didn't get wrecked and me get hurt. Maybe in that split second that I awaited impact, a few guardian angels gave my car a little shove to get it out of the way. Because there's no reason for me not to have been hit. Everything indicated that I was about to get plowed into. The other driver - I don't even know if they were male or female - was going so fast and so recklessly.
When I got home and could take better stock of myself and my surroundings, I noticed that everything on my seats were all on the floor from slamming on my brakes.
I'm just grateful that I'm safe, my car is safe, and I'm here to live another day.
Lastly: I have a story to share from Scott. It happened on Valentine's Day. Here are his words.
"I woke up to something scary. I could not find my wallet. I went to the usual motions of where I thought it would be. Then I started to panic.
"Imagine being stuck in another country with no identification and no money.
"I started to imagine the worst. I had to go to work in 2 hours. I ran to the place where I remember touching it last, about a half mile away. It was not in the car I drove last night. Now my mind is going into damage control.
"Military ID: needed to get through gates and to eat food. What if I go get a new one? I go to the ID office and they are closed on Fridays and Saturdays. No solution.
"SIPR token: needed to log into government computers. It took 2 months to get the last one.
"All my money cards. Imagine getting replacements of those half-way around the world. If you can imagine that, then you know where I was.
"I needed help. I went back to my room to pray. I asked for a clear mind and inspiration. The clock was still ticking. I had an impression that it was time to humble myself and to ask people that I don't like for help.
"I went back to the office where I work to enlist the help of everyone there. There was only one soldier there because everyone else was gone to lunch. That one soldier said, "Hey, Chief. Are you looking for your wallet? We found it in the parking lot.
"I went back to my room to pray again for thanks."
Wow. Just wow. I love this man so much.
My formula each week is to take as many pictures as possible, because that is what helps me to remember things the best. Then, when I sit down to write my blog post, I scroll through all my pictures first. It gives me a good perspective of the week overall, and then I tend to write chronologically.
Monday: I drove over to Vidalia, GA to visit their genealogical library. I scored pretty big there, I think. (I haven't read through most of what I took pictures of yet - it's been too busy!!) I first spent 2 hours taking pictures of information contained in vertical files that used to belong to professional genealogists. The files had been donated to the library and were nicely alphabetized. Then, after a lunch break, I came back and photographed some interesting articles in pertinent county history books.
Probably the most interesting thing I found was this pamphlet celebrating the Bicentennial for the Midway Congregational Church of Midway, Liberty County, GA.
What made it so intriguing was that they did a Pageant to celebrate all the history from the area of Midway. And they had people play the parts of the actual early settlers - including my ancestors!! Take this first page, for example: down near the bottom on the left it shows Sarah Dunham Stacy. She was my 6th great grandmother!! And there was page after page listing all the historical people and what the setting was like at the time, and then "acted out" in an "episode". I wish I could have been there to see that!
By the time I left the Ladson Genealogical Library in Vidalia, I felt like my brain was about to explode with information. I had taken close to 150 photos of valuable information in the space of 3 hours. It was time to get outside and do something in nature. I stopped off to get some flowers and then I headed to the Old Shiloh Cemetery near Reidsville, GA.
I was able to find my 6th great grandfather, Michael McKenzie Mattox.
And my 6th great grandmother, Elizabeth Hartridge Joyce.
Then, as I was driving back to my AirBnb in Midway, I pulled over to photograph a cotton field in bloom. One of the most amazing experiences I've had so far. It may seem simple to some, but with everything I've been learning about my slave-owning ancestors and the lives of the slaves themselves, a simple thing as a cotton plant takes on a significant meaning for me.
Further down the road I made a point of stopping to investigate something I had seen on my way to Vidalia. I thought I had read somewhere in my research that Allen Barfield Flowers (my 3rd great grandfather) had purchased some property out on Taylor's Creek, but on further investigation, I later learned that it was actually Samuel Delk (my 5th great grandfather) who owned all the acres on Taylor's Creek. Anyway, it could not have been a coincidence that Taylor's Creek was also right next to Flowers Road!! Samuel Delk's granddaughter (Eliza Jane Baxter) married Allen Barfield Flowers!
Property along Flowers Road near Gum Branch, Liberty County, GA (both above and below)
That was a really special experience to just happen to drive past something so important! I had that happen numerous times this past week. And I love it each time. It reminds me that I am not in charge of what I'm doing. I am being guided and helped along the way.
I really enjoyed the hosts of my AirBnb in Midway, an older couple who were very willing to have conversation with me every evening and to discuss all the things I found. They had a very simple home, but their backyard was exquisite!!
click here for a short video:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ku6yHGndkmi3kbzo9
Tuesday: After I checked out of my AirBnb, I drove over to the Midway Museum again - this time to make copies and get information on my ancestors since they closed up early last Sunday. I spent about 90 minutes taking pictures of a LOT of pertinent genealogical data. Then Midge, a volunteer at the museum, offered to take me on a private tour of the old Midway Church!! It was something to behold.
Originally built in 1752, it was sadly destroyed during the American Revolution. This is the rebuilt Midway Church, established in 1792.
For more information, click here: https://www.exploresouthernhistory.com/midway.html
Midge informed me that the stairwell at the back led to the balcony seating area, the location where the slaves could come to church and at least participate. I was grateful that they had some accommodations.
The view looking down at the pulpit from the balcony.
The view from the pulpit:
She also gave me the key to unlock the gate of the old cemetery across the street. My heart leapt for joy!
Click here for a short video panning the awesomeness of the cemetery:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/1musknuGtjkbXZT86
This was such sacred ground and I could hardly believe that I was tiptoeing around on it.
I found my 7th great grandfather, John Quarterman. Born 1711 in South Carolina. Died here in 1765.
I'm so grateful that I had the chance to visit the Midway Museum, to get some research done, and to get a private tour of both the old church and the old cemetery.
Time to head south to Brunswick. It was only an hour's drive, which was nice. Along the way, I saw the Smallest Church in America. I didn't even get out of the car to take pictures, ha ha. It was about the size of a small shed.
Smallest Church is located at: US Hwy 17 South (I-95 Exit 67) near Darien, GA
My AirBnb lodging in Brunswick was far from my favorite. It was in an old house - which I normally love - but the two main things that didn't sit well with me were: 1) the decor was dark and oppressive and way too cluttery with just too much STUFF, and 2) the hosts were poor in the communication dept. So I spent 2 days in a lot of solitude.
The highlights of Brunswick for me were the PEOPLE in town and the old Victorian architecture everywhere. I walked everywhere to and from my lodging, passing this gargantuan beauty every day.
My favorite restaurant in Brunswick is called: Indigo Coastal Shanty. Not only is the food TO DIE FOR, but the workers treat you like you're a member of their own family. I loved it so much that I went there for dinner two nights in a row.
The second night, my waitress was Madison Maassen. (the spelling is correct) She was so interested in my journey of family history that she came over at one point to ask me some very specific questions about how to get started. I told her: Start with what you know, then expand by asking your family members for more information. I showed her the Family Tree app on my phone and we looked up her Grandpa and did some basic navigating on the app. She was so excited to go home and talk to her family and get started! I asked her if I could take her picture for my blog. (Sorry it turned out blurry - I didn't notice until later) In exchange, she asked me to write down my blog information so she could see it later. :) She was the most friendly waitress I've ever had. Very genuine.
Wednesday: I decided to take it easy for a change. So I went and got a massage in the morning, had a lovely lunch at Maggie Mae's (best shrimp salad sandwich and Brunswick stew!!), came back to the house to read for a while, and eventually headed out to Jekyll Island. It was only about 20 minutes away.
First I stopped at Driftwood Beach, at the north end of the Island. Beautiful, but basically just a TON of driftwood and a beautiful ocean. So I only stayed there briefly, talking to Scott at the same time on a video chat.
Then I rented a coaster bike mid-Island, and rode it several miles in a loop down to St. Andrews Beach at the southern tip. Thank goodness they gave me a map, because I definitely got lost a few times even WITH the map!
Click here for some fun videos of me while riding along:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/aLCmYzWWa3s7TPDY7
https://photos.app.goo.gl/8Wu2WKNFQqUmX9t57
I love a good sunset on the beach.
I sent this next one to my family after I turned the bike back in. I had ridden a solid 90 minutes nonstop and was a sweaty mess and my face was all red. But it was so fun! I want to find ways to ride a bike more often as I travel around.
Thursday: I visited one last important place in Brunswick before heading north to South Carolina. It happened to be just around the block from where I was staying, so I happily walked over.
This oak tree has been around since Revolutionary times!! What a cool feeling to stand there underneath its branches, pondering about all that the tree has seen over the centuries, through multiple wars, through hurricanes and many seasons of time.
On my way north, I stopped in Darien, McIntosh County, GA. My 2nd great grandmother, Valeria Candace Smith was born here, and I also have ancestors with the surname McIntosh. Darien was a cool little town, adjacent to St. Simons Island.
The fort was built in 1736 for protection against the Spaniards, and parts of the wall are still standing today.
They made their own type of cement back in those days, using oyster shells as part of the mix. It was called "Tabby".
The fort overlooks the Altamaha River, which goes out to sea.
Right down the street was the historic Fort King George, so I went there next. Occupied before, during, and after the Revolutionary War by both Patriots and the British.
I learned about how they made and used "medicines" back then. Very interesting!!
Walking around outside, I found an old Highlanders Cottage, an old cemetery with markers for Unknown Soldiers, and the remains of the fort itself. I love learning about history and seeing it with my own eyes helps me to visualize better what they went through at the time.
The very last thing I did before crossing the border was to find me some Peach Ice Cream!! It was really yummy! I especially enjoyed it because it was 86 degrees outside with 85% humidity! :)
Then on I trekked into South Carolina. (It was a bit windy ha ha)
Friday: I drove into downtown Charleston for some research at the College of Charleston Library. Picture tiny streets, like in San Francisco, with tons of cars, tons of students, and no place to park. I was lucky enough to get a paid parking spot right across the street from the library, but I could only stay a maximum of 2 hours. I would have to hustle.
Up on the 3rd floor, I found some things of interest, including this old map. My people were here in the 1600s and into the mid-to-late 1700s.
After the full 2 hours of jam-packing my brain with words, records, pages, etc. I needed some food. I drove away from the packed campus area and into the packed and touristy market area. I was lucky again with finding a paid parking spot for 2 hours.
For lunch, I ordered baked oysters (with butter, garlic and parmesan) and She Crab soup. It was delicious.
With happy tummy and a somewhat cleared head, I walked a few blocks over to one of the most interesting historical places nearby. The Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon.
Even though the sidewalks weren't that great for walking on (you had to watch every single step or you'd twist your ankle or trip), they were full of history, dating back to the 1700's. So I literally was walking where my ancestors used to walk.
Inside this one building, SO MANY important things took place. It was originally meant for commerce and trade. But it ended up being headquarters for both the Patriots and even the British for 2 1/2 years. South Carolina delegates signed the Declaration of Independence here. George Washington visited here. And the Constitution was ratified here.
While waiting for my tour down in the Dungeon, I learned a lot of about the slave trade, and what crops were grown in the Charleston area. They primarily grew rice, indigo and cotton. I learned about the different classes of people and what life was like for them.
If you are interested in seeing more and learning more, please click here for the full album of photos that I took in the Old Exchange:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/wNRK6U9bzjoKh5Px8
Down in the dungeon, everything was built to be symmetrical. Our tour guide told us the most amazing story!! She said that during the Revolutionary War, the British were coming and they had to think quickly about how to stash 14,200 pounds of gunpowder. They came up with a plan to store it down in the dungeon in a back area that wasn't being used, and then to build a wall to enclose everything. Since they had to work so quickly, this add-on was NOT symmetrical to the rest of the space.
When the British occupied this building for TWO and a HALF YEARS, they never once noticed the lack of symmetry, and the gunpowder was never discovered. When the war was over down in Charleston, they went in to assess the condition of the powder, assuming the worst. The bottom third was wasted and unusable due to water from the Bay in back of the building seeping in with the tide. But the top two thirds were usable! A miracle they really appreciated because gun powder was supposed to only last for a year in optimal conditions. But it had been 2 1/2 years in less than desirable conditions. Hallelujah that the gun powder didn't fall into the hands of the British!!
This is part of the original Half-Moon Battery wall, built to withstand the ebb and flow of the tide in back of the building.
And this is a panoramic view of the Bay behind the Old Exchange.
After I left here, I was just in awe of the birth of our nation. Absolute awe and wonder and gratitude.
I walked back to my car, only to discover that my next stop was literally right around the corner! So I put 30 more minutes on my parking meter and walked over to see St. Phillip's Church, the location where my 6th great grandparents (William Fletcher IV and Elizabeth McIntosh) were married in 1761.
Click here for a 10 second video:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/6wiVQtQKdQSYaUmu7
Buried in the St. Phillip's Cemetery are the two signers of the Declaration from South Carolina: Charles Pinckney and Edward Rutledge. Sadly, I couldn't get into the cemetery because the gates were locked.
Well let's not forget that this was also Valentine's Day!! I was blessed to be able to talk to Scott on the phone and connect with him across the ocean. Always a beautiful occasion when we get to talk.
My AirBnb hosts here are just the best! Chase and Kristina are so friendly and kind, and they are just so cute! They got married last April and are building a wonderful life together so far. He's a security guard at the state prison and she works from home doing payroll. They generously invited me to join them for dinner on Valentine's Day, which I happily accepted. Everything was so tasty: marinated and grilled steaks, along with shrimp and pasta with sauteed vegetables.
I picked up some fancy chocolates on my way home from the city as a token of my appreciation, so we enjoyed sharing those together.
Saturday: I decided to go visit the Colonial Dorchester State Historic Park, a mere 10 minutes away by car. The reason is because of that all-important name: Dorchester. The Dorchester Colony that came from England and everywhere they moved, they named their new establishment Dorchester. So Dorchester, South Carolina was no exception.
The nature trail around the park was especially nice. I chose to sit on a bench by the Ashley River for quite a while. It was peaceful and refreshing to just sit and be still. I read some scriptures, I pondered things, and I enjoyed listening to the birds calling back and forth across the river.
In addition to visiting the fort (in the middle of the park), I felt particularly connected to the old church. I know that my ancestors were a part of it and that they had indeed walked here as well. I know this because my spirit quickened as I approached it, and my eyes suddenly welled up with tears. I felt a powerful witness that my ancestors were indeed REAL PEOPLE. Not just a name on a document.
I took additional pictures around the park, including the informative signs explaining everything. To learn more, click here:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/R4SY6Z3mNR2Us5PB9
I picked up on a clue that was on one of the signs for the old church. It mentioned that the Congregationalists worshiped two miles away. I was curious about this, since the Dorchester Colony was known for being Congregationalists (meaning that the power was in the hands of the congregation and not the government). Even though I had a spiritual experience here at the Anglican Church called St. George's, I decided to see if I could find the other church.
I found the location where it used to be. It is not still standing, but there was a marker at the old cemetery to explain further.
The gates were once again locked, so I could not access the cemetery. I was very sad about that. I know that it's highly likely that my ancestors have family members buried here, probably even young children. But because it was so long ago, even if I could get in, I doubt there is a marker still standing for those persons. I looked on Find-a-Grave while I stood at the gate, and didn't find anyone listed there. That doesn't mean that they aren't buried there. Maybe there is not a record of it. Maybe there was a spelling variation. But it was enough to at least stand there and be there at the gate.
And now I get to the point where this blog post got its title. So yesterday, Saturday, after my adventures and shopping and dinner, I was driving back to my lodging in Summerville, SC.
I drew a picture of what happened just 2 miles from home.
I am still in shock that I didn't die, or that my car didn't get wrecked and me get hurt. Maybe in that split second that I awaited impact, a few guardian angels gave my car a little shove to get it out of the way. Because there's no reason for me not to have been hit. Everything indicated that I was about to get plowed into. The other driver - I don't even know if they were male or female - was going so fast and so recklessly.
When I got home and could take better stock of myself and my surroundings, I noticed that everything on my seats were all on the floor from slamming on my brakes.
I'm just grateful that I'm safe, my car is safe, and I'm here to live another day.
Lastly: I have a story to share from Scott. It happened on Valentine's Day. Here are his words.
"I woke up to something scary. I could not find my wallet. I went to the usual motions of where I thought it would be. Then I started to panic.
"Imagine being stuck in another country with no identification and no money.
"I started to imagine the worst. I had to go to work in 2 hours. I ran to the place where I remember touching it last, about a half mile away. It was not in the car I drove last night. Now my mind is going into damage control.
"Military ID: needed to get through gates and to eat food. What if I go get a new one? I go to the ID office and they are closed on Fridays and Saturdays. No solution.
"SIPR token: needed to log into government computers. It took 2 months to get the last one.
"All my money cards. Imagine getting replacements of those half-way around the world. If you can imagine that, then you know where I was.
"I needed help. I went back to my room to pray. I asked for a clear mind and inspiration. The clock was still ticking. I had an impression that it was time to humble myself and to ask people that I don't like for help.
"I went back to the office where I work to enlist the help of everyone there. There was only one soldier there because everyone else was gone to lunch. That one soldier said, "Hey, Chief. Are you looking for your wallet? We found it in the parking lot.
"I went back to my room to pray again for thanks."
Wow. Just wow. I love this man so much.
Comments
Post a Comment