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Researching My Revolutionary War Ancestors

Saturday, 16 April 2011 14:24 |

Written by Kimberly Powell |

The Revolutionary War lasted for eight long years, beginning with the battle between British troops and local Massachusetts militia at Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts, on 19 April 1775, and ending with the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783. If your family tree in America stretches back to this time period, it is likely you can claim descendency from at least one ancestor who had some type of service related to the Revolutionary War effort.

Last Updated (Saturday, 16 April 2011 14:48)

Paint Rock Landmark Destroyed - Almy School Burned

Saturday, 02 April 2011 16:31 |

Written by Ben Garrett - Independant Herald Editor |

By Ben Garrett, Independent Herald Editor | March 31, 2011

A predawn Sunday fire destroyed a Paint Rock community landmark.

The old Almy School, a two-story structure on Tunnel Hill Road just off S.R. 456, was completely consumed by the 4 a.m. blaze, which also threatened nearby structures.

The dilapidated building, which was already suffering structural damage on its upper level, was also the home of Phillips Grocery for a number of years. It was reportedly being used currently for storage.

Paint Rock Volunteer Fire Department was the first on scene Sunday morning, where they were quickly joined by manpower and trucks from Oneida and Huntsville fire departments. The building was fully engulfed by the time firefighters could begin their efforts to battle the blaze and had little chance of being saved.

Last Updated (Monday, 04 April 2011 23:27)

Homestead Act of 1862

Saturday, 26 March 2011 00:08 |

Written by Richard Pence |

Background: The passage of the Homestead Act by Congress in 1862 was the culmination of more than 70 years of controversy over the disposition of public lands.

From the inception of the United States there was a clamor for ever-increasing liberalism in the disposition of these lands. From 1830 onward, groups called for free distribution of such lands. This became a demand of the Free-Soil party, which saw such distribution as a means of stopping the spread of slavery into the territories, and it was subsequently adopted by the Republican party in its 1860 platform. The Southern states had been the most vociferous opponents of the policy, and their secession cleared the way for its adoption.

The Act, which became law on Jan. 1, 1863, allowed anyone to file for a quarter-section of free land (160 acres). The land was yours at the end of five years if you had built a house on it, dug a well, broken (plowed) 10 acres, fenced a specified amount, and actually lived there. Additionally, one could claim a quarter-section of land by "timber culture" (commonly called a "tree claim"). This required that you plant and successfully cultivate 10 acres of timber.

Last Updated (Saturday, 26 March 2011 00:50)