It was there in Gilbert's Novi, Michigan home, a day after Thanksgiving, that I was introduced to him and his wife but also to a plain, dark-brown, secretary desk with a hinged top that may have been built at the turn of the 18th century by my 4th great grandfather. What lay inside was pure treasure. Opening the top I immediately found stacks of family letters, tax receipts, photos, some dating from the 19th century, all opening their world to me. And then, within a nondescript yellowing hand box, I unfolded an aged sheet of parchment. In the the top left hand corner, in large all-caps letters declared the name, "GEORGE". I continued reading, "...The Third, by the Grace of GOD, of Great-Britain, France, and Ireland; KING, Defender of the Faith, and so forth: ...". So ends a rather nuanced but important introduction to the 1765 Land Grant given to one Donald Munro by King George the III of England. This back story serves as a type of provenance or origin of this historic document that I can physically trace back to my 2nd great grandfather, James L. Munro. As for Donald Munro, whom this document belonged to, he is only mentioned twice in passing in Via's narrative. How it came to James Munro involves some speculation. In the upcoming blogs Donald Munro's history will be investigated as well as the document's historical context and other lines of evidence affirming its authenticity. As for today, what remains with me is how two people, who were once strangers to me, made separate initiatives to connect and in doing so became my family. The serendipity their actions opened an invaluable door, showing me that I sit at very large historical table. I am blessed and honored to share it. SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION/LINKS
1 Comment
Patty
3/14/2020 09:42:32 pm
Very nicely written.
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John A. StempienJohn A. Stempien maintains the blog and website, Family Munro and is the co-editor of The Liberty Hyde Bailey Gardener's Companion. He lives in west Michigan with his family. Archives
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