What Are You Reading Now

[SSlater]

I rarely read a " Best Seller". I go for the old stuff - like the King George marriage records, that were started in 1759. From there I wander over to the Land Records, or the Wills, etc. (These books heft out at 40 pounds.) I spend a lot of time in the Census. That sometimes results in problems. For example, There is no William L. Bryant, in King George, in 1860 or 1870. but there are 3 "William L. Bryan". I'm trying to find "Where did he live?" I HAVE TO KNOW. (I am closing in on him, but I am not positive.)

Some time ago, Bill Richter, wrote from Arizona, and commented how lucky I was to be living where it all happened. It took a while, but now I understand what he meant. I look out of the living room window and I see the "Mouth of the Nanjemoy", across the Potomac. If there is a tug-boat pushing a barge of sand up the river, I "see" a Gunboat Patrolling. I cross Gambo Creek twice, and pass Benjamin Arnold'S Home, on the way to the Walmart. I am reading History every day -without having books, to lug around. I can show you were Cawood had his camp, or where Thomas Nelson Conrad slept at his camp"Eagle's Nest". or how about a look at Mrs Quesenberry's house, Are you interested in Sgt. Brogden? (I call this My "Charles Cawood -no escape route tour").

I walk the same paths, that these people walked. There has been no change. It gives me an insight into what they might have been thinking, or how they lived. Some day I might stop looking, and write something, but not yet.

If you can squeeze out one more day in this area, when you are here in March, I would be glad to share all of this with you. It can be as long as want, or as short as you want. If you come, bring Laurie with you. I have been asking her for years, but she never has time.