Alford Tales -- Murder! Part 4

So far, I've made you think that my Pa was murdered.  I'm tricky that way. 

I thought about that time when Pa died.  When they found Pa, he had been shot, but the doctor said it was not normal.  Not easily done.  Looking back that was when I knew Pa had not been murdered like I had always thought, but killed by accident.

Now I have to tell all so you can understand what happened.  First, Pa left early, heading to North River, not north like he had said. Thinking back maybe that's what he meant.  That he was heading toward North River.  He had taken his musket with him, later found by Robert and Henry near the island.

First let me tell you about the day before Pa died, when Mama and I went into Harrisonburg to trade.  I stayed outside and sat down on a bench along side the post.  Staying out of the way like Mama always told me to do.  While I was sitting there, Mrs. Fulce and Mrs. Grisby had stopped nearby.  They did not see me.  But I heard them talking about Mr. and Mrs. Gwinn.  Remember my telling you about her and how she disappeared.  

Mrs. Fulce said that she had overheard Mrs. Gwinn talking to her mama about taking her children to live with her.  Mrs. Grisby gasped and said well with Mr. Gwinn and the drink you can't blame her.  I just casually listened to this concerned news.  About how Mrs. Gwinn was leaving with the Tanners, a family that lived not far from the bend in the Cook's Creek and the big lake.  They were heading west, somewhere further south then to the west.  Mrs. Gwinn and Mrs. Tanner were sisters and that made sense.  Mrs. Fulce talked more about Mr. Gwinn not being a God-fearing man and taking too much drink to take care of his own children.

The other thing I have to tell you is this.  I saw Pa talking to Mr. Gwinn who kept getting madder and madder over something about Mrs. Gwinn and her sister's talking.  I could only hear part of the conversation.  So, I'm thinking it was about Mrs. Gwinn leaving.  And when I thought about it some more, I then knew what Pa meant when he said I'll help the best I can. Saying that to Mr. Gwinn. But I knew that Pa and neither Mama for that fact would never help Mr. Gwinn.  Mama had made it clear one time that she had no interest in helping a man who takes too much drink.  And Pa felt the same way.

Now Henry and Robert had found Pa's musket in the mud near the island in North River.  They brought it home and Mama had hidden it.  One time I asked her about that and she never really told me why she wanted it hidden.  Just said no need to have it around anymore.  And added lucky for Robert and Henry to only found it and not been there sooner to see it all happen.  She never said anything else, until later before she died when she told me the whole story.

Mama told me that Pa was accidently shot when struggling with Mr. Gwinn.  Mrs. Gwinn was to meet Mr. Tanner near a road down by the North River and she would travel on with them.  Her and Mrs. Gwinn's mama would bring the children later.  And Mr. Gwinn was to found passed out from drink, thinking that he had seen Mrs. Gwinn spirited away by the old witch of the island.

Pa had gone to the spot where they were to meet, bringing Mr. Gwinn and several bottles of drink. Mama was to be with Mrs. Gwinn hiding on the island.  When Mr. Tanner drove by with his wagon. Mrs. Gwinn with the help of Mama and Mrs. Tanner was to be put into hiding in the wagon.  Mrs. Gwinn hid on the island. With Mama dressed in a cloak with her face hidden.  Pa soon came with Mr. Gwinn.  Pa carrying his musket.

*****
In today's world, Margaret Alford would either be labeled a suspense writer or possibly a drama queen for dragging out this story.  I have to admit that her twists and turns have even confused me. What happens next... well, you'll have to wait for the next Alford Tale.

Alford Tales -- Murder! Part 3

Thinking about that day Pa left with his musket.  Mama said "I saw him go towards Mr. Hoover's land.  Not north."  I did not ask, but it was a moment that I did not forget.

"Pa had left with is musket and went south."  Henry told me that as well.  He saw him.  Mr. Alford and I visited with Henry and Eleanor.  They stayed with us a few days before heading to the west.  On to Preble County in the Ohio country.  Going with their children.  We stayed here in Monroe County and said goodbye to John a few years ago as he left for Hancock County in the Indiana country.

"I saw him walking towards Mr. Hoover's farm.  Unless he turned north somewhere along the way, he went that way."  Mr. Hoover farmed over the hill.  He and my Pa had been good and neighborly.  Their children were gone west as well.  

"But later Robert and I found Pa's musket down by North River. I've never told anyone this. Robert never believed me so I never said anything about it.  He told me to forget it."  When Henry was growing up, he had a fancy to image things.  I was more sensible like my Mama.  Eliza and Sarah and I were all sensible.  We had to be with our husbands.  It wasn't until now when Henry said "I'd swear on the family Bible that what I saw was there.  She was there standing in the wood on that island in North River."

Henry told me what he say.  "She was there. The old witch that Pa always talked about. Standing there in plain daylight.  I though witches only came out at night."  When Henry said that, I couldn't help but wonder about something else I had heard.  He went on. "Robert didn't see her.  He was too busy looking at the musket.  Cleaning off the mud.  His back was to her and I could see her over his shoulder.  She had on a black cloak with her hood up over her head.  Could only see part of her face."

"You always had a wild imagination.  Remember that time that you thought you saw..."  He didn't let me finish my sentence.  That was unusual for Henry.  He was always polite and kind to listening.  Very much a man of the Bible's teachings.

"I saw her standing there. I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.  And felt funny. Like she was trying to kill me.  Robert ran off with the musket.  He yelled to hurry up.  But I saw someone was running through the woods on the other side of the river.  Looked like a man.  I tried to see who it was but never did.  I was afraid to turn back to see if she was there.  I was just a youngin' then.  More scared than anything."

I began thinking about that time when Pa died.  Henry had seen the old witch of North River.  Someone running through the woods. Mama talking about Pa heading south and not north.  It all began to come together.  It all began to make sense what I had heard while listening to concerned news.  First someone running through the woods.  Someone meeting someone on the island.  And Pa with his musket.

That was when I knew Pa had not been murdered like I had always thought, but killed by accident.  Reminded me of that old play I saw once when a traveling troupe had come through Monroe County.  Down at Lewisburg. They acted out the play about Romeo and Juliet by that Mr. Shakespeare.  That's when I knew that the real murder had been of Mrs. Gwinn.  Part of a lover's plot.  

Alford Tales -- Murder! Part 2

Later that day, Pa and Joseph went to over to William Hinds for a meeting about the war.  Mama and I worried that Pa would leave to fight.

But he never did.  We were far away from the war out on the frontier.  Rockingham County was far away from the British. In fact, we were surprised when President Washington rode through.  Although later, I learned that Joseph had told me that when in fact it was George Washington. He had made that up.  He was an ornery cuss.

Mr. Alford and I went into daughter Sarah's last Sunday for a meal and readings.  As I was sitting there, I looked at her and she reminded me much of my Mama.  In fact, she smiled the way my Mama smiled.  Mama would smile whenever my Pa would return from a hunting trip, or brought home a nice fish, or even when he traded for some fine silk.  Enough for a new bonnet or cap.  But Pa also made her cry.

She cried for many days after Pa was laid to rest.  We thought for sure we would never see him again.  It was chilly that day.  Many of the neighbors came round to pay respects.  Even Mr. Alford from Ireland came.  I didn't like him that much.  He told Mama only a few days after Pa had left us that he would marry her if she wanted.  In her grief, she accepted, thinking more of us.  Poor Robert and Henry.  Barely knowing their Pa would now have a new pa.  An Irishman no doubt.

Mr. Alford's proposal came too soon for me.  I never liked him. Never gave Mama a chance to mourn that loss of Pa.  She never smiled the same.  She never smiled much after.  Mr. Alford sold Pa's 46 acres and we moved near Cross Keys and not far from the North River.  I remember one day while walking through the woods coming the island in the river.  The one where the witch lived.  

It was there later that Henry and Robert would find Pa's flintlock musket.  The one that he took with him that last day.  The one that he had his name engraved on the patch box.  The day that they brought that home, Mr. Alford was over to Mr. Shoulderman's, delivery their blankets and shirting.  Henry showed it to Mama.

"Where did you find it?"  She took it from Henry.  Turned it over and over.  Reading his name aloud.  "Henry Alford.  It was lost they said.  Lost in the woods.  North of our farm."  

Robert was only eight and was very excitable.  He stumbled his words.  Robert spoke.  "We found it by the island in the North River."  

Henry nodded.  "I saw it.  The sun was shining on it.  Did Pa lose it there?"  Mama looked like she was thinking hard about it.  She said "We must hide it and we will not talk about it."  It was me, Robert, Henry, and Mama.  Everyone else was gone.  Mama made us swear on the Bible.  "Swear that you will not say anything about it.  Mr. Alford need not know about it."  I had never sworn on the Bible, but Mama was serious.

She wrapped the musket into an old piece of cloth.  And we went out to an old hollow tree out in the woods.  She put the wrapped bundle into the hollow log.  "Not a word.  Not a word to anyone."  We looked at her.  And that was the last of the musket for sometime.  Until Henry went out one day many years later and dug up what was left.  This was after Mr. Alford had died and Mama asked about it.  The log had almost rotted away.  But he found the pieces.  The patch box with "Henry Alford" engraved on it.

At the time when they found Pa's musket, Henry had been six years old.  He was named after Pa, but he never said he was a junior.  But now, just a few years ago when were married and older, Henry told me his secret. And it was with that Henry and I knew what had happened to our Pa. It was murder.  Plain and simple.

Pa had been down south by North River, not far from Mr. Alford's land.  Not north of the farm.  Not near the 46 acres.  But it wasn't until Mama also said something that made me think. One day she was lost in her mind.  Thinking about that day Pa left with his musket.  She said "I saw him go towards Mr. Hoover's land.  Not north."  I did not ask, but it was a moment that I did not forget.

Alford Tales -- Murder! Part 1

The death of Margaret Alford's father, Henry, is a mystery.  There is no evidence of what happened to him, but he existed.  Therefore he lived, bought land, fathered at least one child, then simply disappeared.  No records exist from the late 1770s that give evidence, so I've given Margaret a voice to tell a story.  I've taken the liberty to fill it out with description, dialog, a "It was a dark and stormy night," and a "The End."

So sit back and enjoy Part 1 of Margaret's Tale of Murder!

******

It was a dark and stormy night. The signs told us that it would be.  The leaves on the trees had all turned over.  The forest animals hid.  And I noticed dark clouds forming to the west.  And God had sent us rain and thunder to Monroe County.

"Mr. Alford, do you want more apple pie or not?"  I got silence again.  I walked over to his chair by the fire and there he was.  Asleep.  Now I'd have some time for remembering.  So far, the year of our Lord 1836 had been a quiet one.  And now the autumn wasn't far away.  A few weeks and harvest time would be here.  It would my time to prepare for the winter again.  Churning butter. Drying pumpkin and herbs.  Again as I've done for many a winter before.

And soon, Mr. Alford and I would would be thankful for our 37th year, unless I decide to finally take the rolling pin to him. I've seen my children grow and move further west into what was the new land.  Ohio.  Remember it becoming a state in 1803.  Indiana in 1816, just twenty years ago.  Son John and his new bride, Eliza, had settled in a place called Hancock County.  Son James still here, talking about heading that way.  My daughter Sarah lives not far.  She and I will be quilting soon.  Need a new quilt.

My granddaughter has been helping me write, but this time, I am.  This tale is of murder, plain and simple.

My Pa, Henry Alford, came to Augusta County in 1768. He received a grant of land by 1771 and started a farmstead.  He had forty-six acres with forest and a creek nearby for water.  He had married my Mama, Nancy, before coming the county, bringing my older brothers to the new land.  I was born in 1773 in a simple cabin.  Rockingham County became a county in 1778 and I grew up there.  My Pa saw the founding of the new county during the war.  It was 1779 and I was 8 years that year.  I can remember the day that Pa went hunting.  That is when it started.

"Mama, when will Pa be home?  Do you know?"  Purl, knit, purl, knit, purl.  New row back the other direction.  The green yarn formed a new row on the garter.  Almost done.

"I'm not sure.  He is hunting down by the North River with Mr. Shank and Mr. Gwinn."  The wool twisted into the spindle and she kept feeding it more wool.  Eight balls that day, 35 for the week, 72 for the month.  "I've got to that this over to Mr. Alford so he can weave it into a blanket for us."

It was cold.  Winter was coming.  "Pa will be trading for it?  That old sow?"  Joseph was out in the barn. I could see him.  Bringing in wood. He was very strong for a twelve year old. He would take some of it to the saw mill with Pa when he got home.  Pine that would become lumber then to Mr. Rogers to become a new bookcase along the cabin wall.  Robert trailed him carrying as best he could same pieces of wood.  He was only three years.  Joseph eventually brought him into the cabin. 

Robert and Henry were my two younger brothers.  I kept eye on them.  Henry was only a year old.  Both too young to remember too much of our Pa, but never forgot him.  

"Pa's home." I saw him coming up the road.  Pa arrived back home with a few rabbits.  Stew would be dinner.  I greeted him at the door.

"There's my girl.  Knitting more garters. I could use a pair of new gloves."  He took the carving knife and went outside.

"She'll be learning soon enough.  Maybe by Christmas or the New Year."  Mama said to him as he left and to me "We'll get some blue from Mr. Alford when we take him the wool.  You can knit gloves.  I'll teach you.  Maybe Sally can help you."  My Aunt Sally lived not far and I would visit her to learn new stitches.

That night, I remember Pa telling us a tale about the North River.  He said "An old Indian witch lived there and her ghost haunted the small island out in the river."  His face was in half shadow from the fire.  I can still see him. His eyes looked dark.  I was scared by his tale.  "Small children have disappeared there.  Maybe became her dinner."  I felt Henry and Robert snuggle closer to my side.  He leaned forward in his chair.  "So you better not go near it."

"Stop scaring them like that."  Mama could see we were scared. That night I dreamt of an old witch coming after me.  I was running through the woods.  I kept waking up scared that she would get me.

A few days later, we took the wagon into Harrisonburg. Pa took wood to Mr. Rogers.  Mama went to the store to trade some more garters and a shawl she had knit up.  That was the day that we saw General Washington come riding through, off to Baltimore some said.  Some said to New York City.  I remember him well.  He looked down at me from on his horse.

Later that day, Pa and Joseph went to over to William Hinds for a meeting about the war.  Mama and I worried that Pa would leave to fight.

Alford Tales -- Married Life

Margaret and John Alford lived in Monroe County, Virginia (now West Virginia).  John's parents had moved there when John was young, but later returned to Rockingham County to marry.  Many people today believe in the myth that everyone married when young, like around 17 or 18.  But that is a myth.  Many records show that people married later, in their mid-20s.

Stay tuned for the next posts when I finally get around to the murder of Henry Alford.

For now enjoy "Married Life"

*******

Mr. Alford and I waited to get married.  I was not about to marry just for the sake of getting married.  Mr. Alford's family lived in Rockingham for several years before moving down to Monroe.  We met when we were young at Mr. Ellis' school.

I remember his Pa, John, visiting my Pa, Henry. And when my Pa died,  Mr. and Mrs. Alford helped our family.  Eventually my Mama married John Alford, an Irishman,  For a spell, we had three John Alford in Rockingham County -- my father-in-law, my husband, and my Mama's second husband.

My Mama's grandparents had no choice in their marriage. Practical reasons, that is why they were married.  Reasonable fortune, liveliness of manner, and a gentle wit.  That is why Mr. Alford and I got married.  He told me of his nice cabin and farm and a wit that I enjoy.  I offered him a good meal and shining piety and trust.  And also a fine ability to stitch and knit.

Mr. and Mrs. Alford, Mr. Alford's parents, had married for a similar reason.  She came with a dowry that he couldn't refuse.  She expected him to protect her out here on the frontier.  At the time, Monroe County was covered in dense forest and land had to be cleared.  And Mr. Alford's small fortune with her dowry helped to create prospects for them in a new county.  Although, I think it may have been her ability to provide a good meal as well as a fine household. 

Now, my Mama married for convenience.  When my Pa passed, my Mama and us were left without much.  Mr. Alford of Ireland offered a home and was a man of good profession. He had a useful trade which we all learned.  I learned to knit and sew finery.  Although not a blood family, he treated us like his own.  Mr. Alford of Ireland was a weaver and known for his trade in Rockingham and my Mama knew that this would be a useful trade for our future prospects in marriage.

When Mr. Alford came to visit, he would often bring news of friends and family from the west.  We would walk and speak of concerned news like I would do with my friends.  I knitted him a pair of mittens in wool, dyed in cochineal and indigo.  Of course, I knitted many a fancy for many a people in Rockingham.  Mr. Alford was most appreciative.  Upon visit, he had trade for new pins and presented them to me.  I made him a new scarf for his next visit.  It was a days ride to Monroe County. To Wolf's Creek where Mr. Alford would take me to live.

Even though, Mr. Alford the Irishman did not provide money for the bond, he and Mama did give us blankets and a fine quilt.  We would need them for the winter. Unlike some, we chose our family.  I remember a few wives who intentionally let the child go with the help of a midwife.  Often afraid a husband would leave is the family grew too large to support.  I would lose my first child, but God gave us our first boy. In 1801. Who we agreed to name Robert after my brother who had helped us marry.  The burden of bringing a child into the world is not an easy one to carry. 

Alford Tales -- My Wedding

 Margaret tells of her wedding.  Today, when we say wedding, we think of churches, white gowns, a procession, fancy dinners, a huge cake, and thousands of dollars flying out of some father's pocket.  Well, maybe Margaret might influence our thinking and return to something simpler.

This week's tale is My Wedding.

******

I was a strong minded woman for my time.  I was going to be spinster, but I decided that Mr. Alford would suit me.  He would allow me to read, write, and perhaps have a say if he wanted me to keep a clean house and fix him good meals.

I got married on the 16th day of October in the year of our Lord 1799.  Just a few months before the start of a new century.  And just a few months before our President would be called to be with our Lord in Heaven after he led our new nation as our first President. I had seen him once when he rode through Harrisonburg.  We had heard of him coming to see our new county.

I remember it well.  John and Mama took us all to see him as he visited with all the men.  Mama told me about how My Pa had wanted to go fight under him, but he never made it beyond the county to do so.  My Pa's name was Henry.  I can see him when I think about him, but that was long ago.  And when time came for me to wed, I made it clear who My Pa was.

Mr. Alford was born in Rockingham County but his parents and his sisters and brothers moved to Monroe County.  But kinship was important to all Alfords.  Family wasn't just by blood.  Now Mr. Alford was a year old that me.  Being born in 1772.  His father was also John.  Mother Jane.  They had a hard time keeping the John Alfords separated.  The man my Mama had married was also John, but he came from Ireland.  Mr. Alford's father was born in Virginia.

Mr. Alford came back to visit relations here in Rockingham County several times.  He would stop by and visit with us.  I was going on my twenty-first year and J my Mama and John began to worry that I might not find a man to marry me to.  Until one day, Mr. Alford stopped by for a visit and it was suggested that perhaps we should.  He being just a year older, but men could be spared the title spinster.  

So, Mr. Alford came back we few days before our blessed day.  John, my Mama's second husband, did not approve and refused to give a dowry nor be a part.  To which I was find with.  Him being an old bastard for being that way about it.  My sister's husband Abraham Funk came forward and arranged the bond.  Mr. Alford paid one hundred and fifty dollars to promise that he would marry me.  And he did. And I made sure that it was clear that I was the daughter of Henry Alford.  Written on the paper the bond was printed on.  My brother Robert swore to my age to our Justice of the Peace, Mr. Harrison.  I remember Mr. Harrison noting that he wished My Pa had been there that day to see his only daughter marry.  Mama remained silent.  And that same day, Minister Walsh joined us before God.

I wore my best dress.  It was a printed blue calico with a green dot pattern. John had traded for the calico.  Enough for a dress in trade for a wool blanket.  After we were wed, Mama, Eliza, and Sarah had prepared a meal for celebration.  We had pumpkin pie, a turkey, chicken, stewed pears, and oranges.  Which were also made into an orange pudding.  And dancing.  A fine celebration.

Mr. Alford and I stayed with my sister Sarah and her husband, Mr. Funk, for the night before the next day we traveled to Monroe County.  The day was cold but sunny.  I remember saying good bye to my family.  To be honest, I think John was glad to see me go.  Of course, some family came to Monroe County and were nearby. It was comforting to have others around who remembered My Pa.  I should say Our Pa.

Alford Tales -- A Trip to Court

Margaret took time to talk about the creation of Rockingham County and the celebrations that came after it.  She gave little information about the events, so this is first part written from what I could find about the county's founding, but the trip to the courthouse and witnessing a day in court was from Margaret herself.

Set back and enjoy "A Trip to Court."

*****

I was very young when Rockingham County was created from Augusta County in October 1777.  I was only 4 years old, but remember the celebrations.  Governor Henry made Silas Hart our first sheriff. I remember him after my father's death coming to see my Mama.  Rather sympathetic he was.  Tom Lewis came by as well.  He was the surveyor and surveyed Pa's land when he first moved here.  But that's a tale for another day.

Harrisonburg became the county seat in 1779.  I heard stories of the Knights of the Golden Horseshoe traveling through the area sometime well over a hundred years ago.  So that became the site of Rocktown.  Later renamed it to Harrisonburg after Tom Harrison.  He gave the town about 2 acres for use if the public good.  Used it for the first courthouse.  Later he gave more land.  His son Benjamin later married Mr. Alford and me.  But that's another tale for another day.

My Pa took us to Rocktown to a celebration of the new county.  It was in the spring the following year.  Too cold and too much work to prepare for the winter to be traveling in October.  I remember it was warm and it was the first time I had iced cream.  It had apricots in it.  Heard Mama talking to Mrs. Donald's about the receipt.  Came from Mrs. Glasse's. We had a good time.  Later went when Harrisonburg was named the county seat.  Sometimes I still call it Rocktown.  

My earliest memory of the courthouse was in October of 1780.  John took us over to Tom Harrison's plantation to do some trading of woven material, but also to see the building.  I was 12 years old.  I had seen it but never been in it.  It was a stone building.  Two story.  Divided into two rooms with windows and fireplaces.  They were using it as a courthouse that day.

They were holding court and the men were all arguing.  They were talking about Randall McDonald's daughter.  He had died while he was fighting in the army.  John Magill was taking care of her.  He got some corn and pork.  Then they argued about poor Anne Gum and her two, I think it was two, maybe three, no two children.  Lost her husband as well in the service.  My Pa had done work for the service.  We lost him as well.  

Many widows and children back in those days were taken care of by their neighbors and friends.  That is what happened to us.  After Pa died, John took us in. Married my Mama and treated us like his own.  We got land from him after he died.  My Pa's 46 acres were sold so Mama had some money when John met her.  I never went to any other courts until later in my life, here in Monroe County.  Mr. Alford has been many times.