In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

I had decided to give this book a five stars rating, at first. I enjoyed how he developed the characters and got you involved in their lives. I liked the way Mr. Capote gently brought the reader into how the murders were initiated instead of bringing up the gory details all at once. 

But, the last chapter caused me to give the book four stars. Mr. Capote seemed as if he didn't know how to end the book. I felt as if I was studying a law book; and I did not understand why he included the cases of several death row prisoners. I know he was trying to make a case for or against the death sentence but to me that was for another book. I almost couldn't finish it. Thus, the four stars rating.

Map of my USA Reading Tour

USA Reading Tour 

The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig

 

This was my first time reading any of Ivan Doig's books. He is an excellent story teller and his specialty is about Montana. This particular book was dated in the early 1900's in Marias Coulee township. A recent widower sends out an ad for an housekeeper after losing his wife. She comes to his home along with her brother. Events takes place that involves Paul Milliron and his three young sons and the housekeeper and her brother. There are scenes that make you shake your head in disbelieve and others that make you chuckle. The end of the book gives you a surprise concerning the housekeeper and the brother. I really enjoyed the writing and recommend this book. 

Franklin County, Georgia

INTRODUCTION

Georgia was formed from the Province of Georgia. It was one of the original 13 colonies. James Oglethorpe, in 1732, established the Georgia colony as a buffer between Spanish Florida and the English colonies. They had close ties with Barbados and relied on African slaves. It became the fourth state in January 2, 1788.

This is a map of the British Empire in 1746 - Source: David Rumsey Collection

1746 America British Empire

The Cherokee Tribe was to its North West and the Creek Tribe was to its South West. Everything west of the colony were Indians.

There were eight parishes in Georgia before counties came into being. They were formed March 15, 1758. They were Christ Church, St. Matthew, St. George, St. Paul, St. Philip, St. John, St. Andrew, and St. James. On March 15, 1765, four more parishes were formed which were St. David, St. Patrick, St. Thomas, and St. Mary.

First Georgia was divided into two sections which were Savannah and Frederika Counties. Georgia created eight counties after the Revolutionary War, in 1777. The counties were Burke, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Richard, and Wilkes.

County Changes

Franklin county was formed by acquiring Cherokee land in 1784.

Madison county was formed in 1811.

Hart county was formed in 1853.

Banks county was formed in 1858.

Stephens county was formed in 1905.

This is the plat map of Franklin County, 1784 - 1785 - Source: Plat Book, 1784-1785, Superior Court, Franklin County, RG 159-1-26, Georgia Archives

1784 Plat Maps - Franklin County, Georgia

1784 Plats for Franklin County

 I am collecting as many maps concerning Franklin County, Hart County, and Madison County. These are the regions my ancestors resided in Georgia up until around 1880 or so. I am getting deep into this rabbit hole. These plats, however, will give information on the land owners who first populated Franklin County. This could possibly help with my research of how the slave woman, Penelope came to Georgia and eventually to be a slave of John McFarland. I figure if I find the deeds of these men perhaps I will see a transfer from one household to another concerning Penelope. Also, by using newspapers to find advertisements concerning trades it may possibly help with my research.

The main two places, so far, that I am getting my maps are the Georgia Archives and the Library of Congress web sites. Because of copyrights laws I can't give you a link, but such google Georgia Archives and Library of Congress to find maps of your counties. It is also more fun to find these maps yourselves - after all who doesn't love sliding down a rabbit hole 😀

Well, back to work!

Location Guide for Georgia, USA

 I am finding wonderful maps for the state of Georgia. The purpose being to understand more clearly where my family lived. And in the case of my family, McFarlands and other families, why they chose to leave Georgia and take up residence in Arkansas. 

They were slaves in Franklin County, then later moved to Hart County and Madison County. 

I am also tracing their migration route into Arkansas.

My first step in this process is to gather maps from the beginning of Georgia's state hood through the end of the Civil War and up to the year 1890. I want to find when the counties were formed so I can determine what court houses stored county documents. Also, this will help me research the Freedmen's Bureau for any documentation and find the laws of the state and counties.

Map of Hart County 1889

The Virginia by Owen Wister

I gave this book, The Virginian, four stars because some of the book was slow and worth only 3 stars and other parts were heart wrenching both in a good way and then in a bad way causing me to rate it as five stars.

Sometimes the Virginia's lingo was awkward and hard to follow. It was slow reading at times and I wondered why some portion was even in the book. But, especially toward the end of the book it was outstanding writing and I have to admit I shedded some tears toward the end. 

Samuel McFarland

 Today, I found the actual marriage certificate for Samuel McFarland. His name was written as McFarlan. He married Margaret Chappel. The person who married them was F.B. Scarborough J.P. He was married in Madison County, Georgia, on January 11, 1874.

I have one main question concerning Samuel and Margaret McFarland. 

Question: How many children did they have and what were their names, and when and where were they born?

Objective: Find all the children that were born to Samuel and Margaret McFarland. Find documentation of what their names are and their birth dates. Also, find documentation of the state, county, city, and township from were they were born.

Analysis: The 1880 Census: State: Georgia; County: Hart; Town: Rays

                                              Samuel McFarland 27 years old

                                              Margaret McFarland 23 years old

                                              Frank McFarland 4 years old

                                              Edna McFarland 3 years old

                                              Nancy McFarland 6 months old

                                              Penny McFarland 62 years old

My next step is to map out the places Samuel has been to up to 1880. I also want to see if I can find some documentation of what happened to Samuel from the end of the Civil War (1865) to 1880. Samuel was 17 years old in 1865. 

Patriarch Samuel McFarland

    Penelope McFarland is the matriarch of the McFarland's family. She had three sons from her master, John McFarland. The three sons were Samuel, Pickney, and Burrell.

    Presently, I am concentrating on Samuel's lineage.

We are first introduced to Samuel in the 1850 Slave Schedule for District 32, Forsyth, Georgia. He was born about 1848. He is again seen in the 1860 Slave Schedule for Franklin, Georgia under Rebecca McFarlin. Her husband, John McFarlin, had passed away in 1857. This is the first time I noticed the difference in counties (Forsyth and Franklin). One of many reasons to write down what you find; it helps keep  you focus. 

Reading Around the World

     Beginning in 2017, I read books from different countries. This adventure was suppose to be for only one year; it ended up lasting to 2021 because I am going to finish this year! After all, I am retire and I have no more excuses!

  View the books and authors by country Around the World and enjoy 😀