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Wednesday, February 15, 2012

A yarn a then Some

In Memory of Hannah Chisolm, born Augst 15, 1865, died June 19, 1944. This is a work in progress. I've spent about 10 hours researching this small, hand carved stone. This stone and others are in a very small cemetery I spotted from my bike on a recent vacation on Hilton Head Island. The brief story is, the cemetery is that of slaves and descendants of slaves. About half the stones were like this, hand carved, others a bit rougher, and a few more modern. Only several families of names, Williams, Chisolm the most prevalent. I assumed it was a slave, and or someone very indigent since the stone was hand made. You could easily pass this little unmarked graveyard by, the stones are small and covered with thick pine needles and low hanging branches of trees. It's in the backyard, so to speak of a large very upscale condo building which faces the 18th green on the famous Harbour Town Links Golf Course. I knew enough of the history of the Island to know it had been inhabited by Union forces early in The Civil War, that the rich plantation owners had fled when The Confederates lost control of the Island. I knew other slaves flocked here for protection The Union Forces offered, and remained after the war,when the Island was virtually abandoned. There was no bridge or electric to the area until 1950-1956. The Slaves and their descendants had meager lives with little involvement of the outside world. The Bridge, Electric, and interest in lumber then vacations ended that.

This stone has the earliest birth date visible/readable; plus there are probably many buried souls unaccounted for under the layers of pine needles, where wooden markers have gone by the wayside through the years. Was Hannah a slave? Was she born free? I couldn't help but wonder. My research so far into whom this woman was is inconclusive. One fellow researcher believes he's found her on census with husband and children; I'm not so sure of his findings, as I find information about several large plantations in the area with listings of a slave named Hannah. I question her last name, is it hers, or did it belong to her owner? A work in progress that puzzles me. I've blogged a great deal about this trip and 2 others to Hilton Head, pop over to my travel blog if your interested. Traveling Suitcase.
I would truly love to find the whole yarn/story of Hannah
Meanwhile.......Mother Earth Afghan is slightly over half put together and work on it continues. I assemble many afghans for Project, "Welcome Home", you can read all it on my charity blog, Bridge and Beyond.
A basket type stitch here on this cotton washcloth, though I believe it's difficult to see with the pretty variegated Easter Colors. The stitch/pattern would probably show up better with a solid color. Even so, I think it's pretty. This is March's cloth, the 12th cloth in my Cotton Cloth Calendar Challenge.

Not pictured but on the needles is a bulky red/black scarf. Size 15 needles if that gives you any idea of the bulkiness of the yarn.

Work in Progress Wed Badges and links in sidebar. Hope you're all keeping busy.

10 comments:

  1. Well, 1940 census will be indexed in April, so that may be a good resource.

    Love the washcloth...nice springy colors :)

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  2. WHAT A MARVELOUS AND INTERESTING POST
    I REALLY ENJOYED READING IT....I HOPE YOU FIND OUT WHO HANNAH IS AND WHERE
    SHE COMES FROM....IT IS SO SAD NO ONE TAKES CARE OF THE CEMETERY....TAKE CARE....HOPE YOU HAD A NICE VALENTINE'S DAY.......RIZZI

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  3. Right you are hakucho, 1940 census could be of help.

    Thanks Rizzi and hakucho for your visits and your comments, always appreciate it.

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  4. Hello Sandy,
    Very interesting post, nice to read your research report.
    I love the yarn which you use for your dishcloth, the colors are looking so fresh. I long for spring and warmer weather.

    Thank you for stopping by my blog and your kind words. It is nice 'meeting' you:)

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  5. nice yarn creation!!!..ur blog about Hannah is interesting..hope ul find out more about her and blog..

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  6. Ooo, love those Easter colors. Super springy. Thanks for sharing. Love seeing your wip's.

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  7. Anonymous10:52 PM

    I downloaded a copy of Hannah's death certificate. I can email it to you...

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  8. Thanks Elizabeth, emszee,Kristine, and appreciate your visits and comments about both Hannah and my crafts.

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  9. Would love to have the death cerficate of Hannah, many thanks Grace for the offer.

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  10. Argh Lost my comment. Trying again. I'm also fascinated by the history of Hannah. I hope you find out more about her and update us. So interesting! Thanks for sharing her story and keeping Hannah alive in our memories.

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