Digging up the History to our Land - Amazing Stuff!

DCMetal · Jan 13, 2015

I've posted a few of the items I've found in my yard in Washington, DC. The strange finds, like an old hoarse, musket ball, pottery shards, etc., got me thinking about who came before us. Although our house was built in 1939, the land has a long history.

I found the original land deed signed in 1890. It arrived in the mail yesterday and I just took some photos of it.

The land was purchased by the 13th Governor of Kansas, Edmund Morrill. Morrill, a Republican, was also a US Congressman and Major in the Civil War, Company C, 7th Kansas Calvary.

Even more interesting was who signed the deed, Bruce Blanche. Blanche, born into slavery was, at the time serving at the DC Registrar of Deeds. He was also the 1st US black Senator to serve a full term in office.

I was thrilled to find the deed and now own it. I can't wait to dig up even more history and artifacts.

CincinnatiKid · Jan 13, 2015

Outstanding property and history!
I can only imagine what finds await you.
GL
Peace ✌

pong12211 · Jan 13, 2015

Very cool thanks for sharing.

Professor of Engineering · Jan 13, 2015

I love history, thank you for sharing.

scott9050 · Jan 13, 2015

You have to be careful when digging in D.C.:

Construction boon in D.C. leads to discoveries of old burial sites - The Washington Post

DCMetal · Jan 13, 2015

scott9050 said:
You have to be careful when digging in D.C.:

Construction boon in D.C. leads to discoveries of old burial sites - The Washington Post

Hey scott9050,

Funny you should mention that. This all started after I began to discover large pieces of glass after a big rain. Every time it rained I would go out to pick up the glass and unfortunately, throw it away. After so much glass, my curiosity was peaked and I began to take a closer look. I started finding strange looking black rocks. I would wash them in a bucket and then they would float to the top. What floats in water? Pumice and bone! Although abstract in shape, the pieces looked like bone to me, but burnt bone.

I collected so much of it that I finally contacted the DC Police. They came out collected the evidence and I haven't heard from them since. They did however say, this happens all the time in DC. I believe if they are bones, there's no way to extract any DNA to identify them. I assumed that because our house (built in 1939), is located near some Civil War forts and batteries that the bones were that of animals cooked over an open fire.

Recently, I discovered more bones but these are not charred, in fact, they're clearly bones. Possibly animal? No clue but I will call the investigators again to have them collect the pieces of bone. I'm sure they think I'm crazy but better that than to ignore the possibilities.