I should probably turn off the computer and not turn it on for another week! I've been doing Genealogy hunting for most of today and yesterday. Among many neat documents online, some of my favorites being Sons of the American Revolution applications by relatives of mine, I found the below gem. I think this is my favorite document so far.
Mishael Beadle my 4x great grandfather moved from the east coast, New York to Michigan to settle prairie land in southern Michigan. First off this is good news for me because Michigan is where I call home and certainly part of this is because my 4x great grandpa decided to pursue the prospects of rich prairie land up for grabs in Michigan. It's pretty neat to have a document showing our family's move.
Secondly, I love this document from 1833 signed by President Andrew Jackson because it states that my 4x great grandpa Mishael Beadle paid for his plot of land in full and was now recognized by the United States of America as the owner of this plot of land. Grasping at straws? Maybe. But this is an encouraging bit of family history for me. No debt here folks. Mishael Beadle has paid for his land in full. That's how I want to be. It's light years away from where I am, but that's my goal. "Paid in full. Certified owner. This belongs to you." That's my goal. I'm giddy seeing an incredibly old document certifying my ancestor as having accomplished this mission. Way to go Grandpa Mishael!
Portions of this document read:
To all whom these presents shall come, Greeting:
Whereas Mishael Beadle of St. Joseph county, Michigan territory
has deposited in the general land office of the United States, a certificate of the register of the land office at White Pigeon Prairie whereby it appears that full payment has been made by the said Mishael Beadle.
Signed by President Andrew Jackson on June 4, 1833
That is amazing!!!! How excited- here's to all of us PAYING OFF OUR HOUSES IN FULL!!
ReplyDeleteThere are some fascinating old documents online. This one just really delighted me.
DeleteThese ancestors lived in a time before debt was cool; from what I've read debt was very uncool. I like that!
Me too! Don't you think we are heading back in that direction? I think our generation is finally realizing what this debt is doing to us and hopefully our kids will learn the lesson!!
ReplyDeleteI believe you must have a more positive outlook on people than I do. I hope we're heading back in the direction of responsible spending and saving but I don't really think as a society/ culture as a whole this is the case. I think there's definitely a growing subculture of folks who really want to pay off debts/ not go into debt and be responsible spendors. I guess since it appears the subculture is growing maybe... maybe we are heading back to sanity???
DeleteActually, I think you are absolutely right.....if you just use my kids and their spending/saving habits for example.....we are in B-I-G trouble :)
ReplyDeleteSadly I think that's how it is too. I mean look at our government. If they are even a tiny reflection of American's spending habits (and I think they really are) we're living in a culture of Burger King people: have it your way, right away. People just want what they want... money? what's that? I'm going to get what I want regardless. It's irrational thinking but it's also such a common thought process now a days that it doesn't seem irrational to those thinking it.
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