We found the graves of the first owners’ of our home today. We put some flowers from our backyard—theirs and ours—on the grave.
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I read through the abstract for our house this evening and worked out the history of ownership. The property that includes our house began as a grant of 160 acres from the US government to William Carmichael in 1818. For the next century it was sold off in pieces and parts and was the subject of several lawsuits. One of the owners was Dr. Winthrop Foote—doctor, lawyer, and founder of the local limestone industry.
Our particular lot took its current shape in 1907 when John and Laura Owens purchased it. From there is goes as follows:
- John and Laura Owens 1907-1929
- Elizabeth Norton (nee Owens) 1929-1939
- Dr. William and Delzena Schroer 1939-1961
- Florine Kern (nee Schroer) 1961-1974
- Gloria Elliott 1974-2009
- The Abels 2009-present
All told, we’re the fourth family to live in this house. The three previous families all lived here 30+ years. We plan to keep that tradition.
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Two unlikely dreams re: the Bedford pie safe:
- Acquire one of the 16-20 known to exist and preserve it. Something this unique shouldn’t be allowed to vanish.
- Build a reproduction. I will never have the skill of an actual 19th century professional cabinetmaker but it would be a heck of a project.
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I found out this week that my hometown has a unique piece of furniture: the Bedford pie safe. It is unique in being three panels wide instead of two. Research by the local historical society found that they were built by a cabinetmaker named John Reath (1817-1898). I’d love to see one in person!
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I visited Corydon—Indiana’s original state capital—for the first time on Friday. It was the capital from the time it became a state in 1816 until Indianapolis was built (specifically for the purpose of being the capital city) in 1825.
I visited Corydon—Indiana’s original state capital—for the first time on Friday. It was the capital from the time it became a state in 1816 until Indianapolis was built (specifically for the purpose of being the capital city) in 1825.
This building housed both wings of the state legislature and the Supreme Court:
The Indiana constitution was debated and drafted in part under this elm, because the building was too hot in June. The tree died about a century ago and they preserved its trunk in this monument. All of Indiana’s county courts have a gavel carved from this elm and the original constitution is stored in a box made from its wood:
The Indiana constitution was signed on this desk:
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On a solo drive through southern Indiana today. First stops: the Medora brick factory and the Medora covered bridge (longest in the US).
