Friday, July 4, 2008

Happy Fourth of July

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This is the flag of the Eighth Regiment Illinois Volunteer Cavalry.

The Farmer and I visited Charleston, South Carolina for the first time six years ago. We love the city, the history, the architecture and the food. We literally ate our way from one end to the other.

We are both history buffs and Charleston held two personally meaningful historical locations. The first is a grave on the grounds of Fort Moultrie at the head of the harbor. My grandmother was a Seminole Indian and Osceola, the legendary chief of the Seminoles is buried just outside the Ft. Moultrie battlements.

The second historial location on our tour was Fort Sumter, an island at the mouth of Charleston Harbor. It was extremely hot the day we took the boat out the island, which is actually a large treeless rock. It's quite hot and quite barren. Despite the heat I was treated to a sight that held great significance for me.

My great-great-great grandfather Robert Nesbitt arrived in 1767 from Scotland. His ship landed in Charleston harbor and this was his first view of what would become his new country. It was very moving to stand in this spot and remember his arrival in the new world It was not yet the United States. He was only 9 years old at the time and nine years later he would serve in the Revolutionary War and be a part of the rebellion that would form these United States.

As was the custom, he was paid in part for his service by a land grant. Him and his brothers were deeded land outside what is now Charlotte, Tennessee.

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He built a log home and it was in this home in 1804 that Dickson County government was forged. The circuit court was also held in his home until a courthouse was built.

It's important to remember the sacrifices that were made and the hard work that was involved in forging America.

Happy Fourth of July!

23 comments:

United Studies said...

Amen and Amen! What an interesting family history!

Unknown said...

Cool flag! Happy 4th!

Anonymous said...

What an OUTSTANDING post. You are so fortunate to have such a wonderful family history that you know about!!! Thank you for sharing this today and Happy Independence Day to you.

Anonymous said...

This is a wonderful tribute to our glorious USA.

Charleston is my favorite city above all others.

Heather said...

What an amazing family history you have!! That is VERY, very cool.

Heather said...

OH! I forgot to say Happy Fourth of July!

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Love Charleston! Happy 4th!

Mary said...

Wow, how cool is that?! Happy 4th to you, too. :)
xoxo,
Mary

Decor To Adore said...

Images and words such as these make my heart sing with pride. Happy 4th of July!

Terri Steffes said...

LOVE your family history! Are you a D.A.R.? I just got my papers sent in! I have a similar history except my folks came from England and got a land grant after fighting in the revolution in North Carolina. My folks ended up in Kentucky and somehow got to Missouri. So cool to read about your family!

Suzanne said...

Thanks for all the kind comments.

My sister and I were talking about how lucky we are to know our family history....and that's because SOMEONE ELSE did all the work! One of our relatives did an extensive geneaological study (including going back to Scotlan) back in the 1970's and wrote a book. We've filled in some other blanks.

Terri - I haven't joined the DAR. Just never knew much about the organization but I will look into it.

- Suzanne, the Farmer's Wife

kari and kijsa said...

A stunning flag photo!! We are so glad you joined the parade today! Loved reading and learning about your family history as well!

HAve a fabulous Fourth!
kari & kijsa

Unknown said...

That's a wonderful family history.

My maternal ancestors also came from Scotland. I have a copy, somewhere, of a newspaper article that was written about my Great-Grandad. He used to walk everywhere, I think I inherited that from him. :-)

It's also interesting what you said about the hard work and sacrifices made in forging America, I recently visited the site of an old, silver , mining camp. Standing there, I was really struck by what they must have gone through, to mine that silver. History is really fascinating.

Happy 4th !!!

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful, patriot post and a gorgeous old flag you've flown today! I first visited Charleston for a magazine shoot/story and was so charmed, I brought my family back a couple of times. (Poogan's Porch and it's famous peanut-butter pie are now on my list of all-time favorite things.) Thanks for your post today. I am off to Grandma Dora's, where we all get the best seats in the house for the community fireworks display! Happy 4th!
P.S., I'm Scottish too; my dad's folks came here from the old country in the 1920s.

B. said...

I Love Charleston! It is such a beautiful city- and so much history and so much good food!

Happy 4th to you...

Apple Jack said...

I'm from Nashville and active in DAR--thanks for sharing. Grandfather Johan Martin Shultz was John Sevier's surgeon at the Battle of Kings Mountain. He was also given land grants for his service in Sevier County. My niece lives in Charleston! We are always searching for information about our family

BittersweetPunkin said...

Happy 4th!! I hope you have a great weekend!!
Hugs,
Robin

Anonymous said...

Great post! Fantastic family history. I love to think about those who forged their way into making our country.

Vee said...

To know such a rich vein of your family history must be such a joy.

Your Grandpa Nesbitt obviously had the grit that it took to build a nation! I am blown away by the determination and courage that it took those early patriots.

Hope that you and yours have enjoyed a wonderful 4th of July!

Jill said...

Happy 4th of July!

What a great family history. My grandfather has researched our family back quite a few generations, and has put together a folder for every one of his children and grand children. Mine is sadly in my storage unit... somewhere in MD.

Anonymous said...

Happy 4th of July! Nice article you wrote!
Hope you had a blessed holiday.
Nice to meet you and I'm waving my flag high:)

kayellen

Vamp said...

What a cool part of your family history!

Rue said...

That you stood where he once did has got to have been so emotional for you. How absolutely wonderful.

Beautiful post Suzanne.

rue