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William Mead, Ninth Great-Grandfather
March 14, 2017
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Entrance to Old Sound Cemetery, also known as the Tomac Burying Grounds
“William Mead, born in England, about 1600, probably sailed from Lydd, County Kent, England, in the ship, Elizabeth, Captain Stagg, April 1635, for the Massachusetts Bay Colony; first settled in Wethersfield, Connecticut; removed to Stamford, Connecticut, in 1641, where he died about 1663. His wife died at Stamford, Sept. 19, 1657. Their children were: Joseph, Martha, and John. Joseph and John settled in the town of Greenwich. See “History & Genealogy of the Mead Family”, Spencer Mead.”
THE MEAD FAMILY
The Mead Family of Greenwich, Fairfield Co., Conn. was originally from England, and came to this country shortly after the Mayflower had landed its load of Pilgrims on the shores of Massachusetts. It has generally been the tradition in the family that two brothers came over; that one stopped at the Eastward, while the other came to Horse-Neck. That two brothers or possibly three, came over is very probable, as it would not be natural for one to come alone, could he find a relative to join him in his adventures. In the “History of Lexington, Mass.” we find that Gabriel Mead was one of the earliest settlers of that place, as also David. The dates of their arrival, and of William of Horse-Neck (or rather Stamford) agree with one another, leading to the conclusion that all three were near relatives; furthermore the Coat-of -arms of both branches is identical, which is almost proof positive. It is not fully detemined from what part of England the Connecticut family came; but searches that have been made there seem to show a starting place somewhere near London, possibly Greenwich, Co. Kent.
The first record of any Mead in Fairfield Co. is the following in Stamford Town Records: “Dec. 7, 1641, William Mayd received from the town of Stamford, a homelot and 5 acres of land.” This William was undoubtedly the ancestor of the Fairfield Co. Meads. His wife died Sept. 19, 1657. We have record of three children. Joseph, born in 1630, the ancestor of the Ridgefield and North Fairfield Co. Meads; Martha, who married John Richardson, of Stamford, and John, the ancestor of the Horse-Neck Meads. The two sons, Joseph 2 and John 2, seem to have migrated (though if proved only a temporary sojourn) to Hempstead, L. I.
John 2 removed from Hempstead, L. I. to Greenwich (Horse-neck) in 1660. It was in this village that he purchased land; the date of the deed is Oct. 26, 1660, and is as follows, verbatim et literation.
These presents witnesseth an agreement made between Richard Crab of Grenwich, on ye one side & John Mead of Hemstead on Long Island on ye other side, viz: ye sd Richard Crab hath sould unto ye sd John Mead all his houses & Lands yt sd Richard Crab hath in Grenwich with all ye Apurtenances. Rights & Privileges & Conveniences yt doth belong unto ye sd houses & lands or shall here after belong unto them namely ye house yt Rechard Crab liveth in. Ye house yt Thomas Studwell liveth in with ye Barne yt is on ye other side of ye hyewaye; also ye home lott ye house stands on being bounded with a fence about them Lying on ye North west side against ye home lott also Eightene Acres of Land in Elizabeth neck more or less being bounded on ye sea on ye East ans south east and a fence on ye west norwest & ye north. Also ye Rig (ridge?) with five acres of Meadow Lying in it more or les. Ye rig being bounded by ye Sea on ye south east. Williamses Land on the east & a fence on ye northwest. Ye hye waye & hubert (Hubbard?) & angell Husted land on ye west; also three acres of meadow in ye Long meadow & one acre of Meadow by ferris bounded by Jeffere Ferris land on ye southwest and ye Cove on ye west and northwest: ye hyewaye on ye East & northeast & five acres of meadow in myanos neck. All these above spesiffied I do acknoledge to have sould unto ye above sd John Mead. His heaires & asignes fully & freely to be posses forever & for ye just & full performance hereof I have hereunto subscribed my hand Ann 1660 October 26 Daye.
Richerd Crabb
Tomac Burying Grounds
William Mead (1600 – 1659)
9th great-grandfather
John Mead (1634 – 1699)
son of William Mead
Benjamin Daniel Mead (1667 – 1746)
son of John Mead
Mary Mead (1724 – 1787)
daughter of Benjamin Daniel Mead
Abner Mead (1749 – 1810)
son of Mary Mead
Martha Mead (1784 – 1860)
daughter of Abner Mead
Abner Morse (1808 – 1838)
son of Martha Mead
Daniel Rowland Morse (1838 – 1910)
son of Abner Morse
Jason A Morse (1862 – 1932)
son of Daniel Rowland Morse
Ernest Abner Morse (1890 – 1965)
son of Jason A Morse
Richard Arden Morse (1920 – 2004)
son of Ernest Abner Morse
Pamela Morse
I am the daughter of Richard Arden Morse
Value For Dollar, Air bnb
March 13, 2017
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I was a travel agent for many years, and have not lost my love of hotels. There is nothing like a stay at a first class establishment to make you feel pampered and rested. I prefer to save up for a special stay if I want to stay in a hotel. When they converted the Waldorf-Astoria to apartments last week I was really happy I had stayed there a couple of times. Once I talked the sales representative into giving me a two bedroom suite for the price of a double room. It was spectacular, and I will never forget it. The Sunday brunch was also to die for. Five star hotels are memorable, but they are not the only way to have a special vacation. Since air bnb started I have used it for particular locations. Sometimes the most important aspect of the stay is the exact location. Air bnb has expanded my choices when I travel to include a large and growing number of private homes, guest houses, and rooms for rent to paying customers. I used to rent private flats in other countries, and it was tricky. Now this has become easy and safe for all involved parties. Air bnb connects renters with exceptional spaces to rent.
The company carries insurance for both the renter and the property owner. There is a vetting process, and the reviews are made public. If a guest is undesirable and is reviewed as a bad prospect, other owners will not want to rent to him. Conversely, if an accommodation is reviewed as less than perfect, prospective renters can take this into account when deciding on a rental. I have only had one property that worked out well for me but I declined to review because I thought it was not appropriate for most travelers. I have been around the world and have a pretty wide range of tolerances, but this is not the case for all clients of air bnb. The base of customers and rentals is growing, which means there are new places on the rental market all the time. I keep some wish lists of properties for future reference. This helps me check certain cities for my dream accommodations quickly. There are many choices, and trip planning is a sport for me. I can get lost in the air bnb site for hours, just doing research on new locations.
I go to Tempe, Arizona at least once a year for a weekend. I like to live like a regular person in the neighborhood when I am there. I don’t always cook, but I like the option of a kitchen for flexibility. This is one of the major advantages to hotel life in my mind. Each host is different, but generally the renter is given free use of the kitchen, and normally the outdoor barbecue, if there is one. If nothing else this allows me to store any produce I pick up at framers markets, and gives me a place to make my coffee in the mornings. Hosts almost always provide coffee and tea. Some go all out with gifts of food and wine for the traveller. I have moved in to find a case of fizzy water and other goodies left by the previous tenant. The host describes what is provided so there is little chance of surprise. Being accurate in the description is an important issue to the company. I find they are all good at that. Obviously, some personalities will fit better than others, and staying in someone’s home is intimate. All my hosts have been just right for my tastes, usually leaving the premises, and leaving me alone. Many will leave a key or a lock box for convenience checking in while they are at work. My recent stay at Larry’s place in Tempe worked out very well for my needs. I would recommend his property for anyone. He is friendly, but low key. His very well presented guide book helped me navigate the area when I arrived. It was very helpful.
Larry’s yard
Larry
The referral and vetting system is similar to Uber or Lyft. If you use my invitation link to sign up , you will receive a discount of $40 on your first booking. I will be rewarded with $20 in credit after you take your first trip. It is a win/win situation. Have you tired using air bnb, gentle reader? It is becoming much more popular all the time.
#WeekendCoffeeShare Spring Fever Edition
March 13, 2017
— 1 Comment
aloe
aloe
bees on lavender
aloe
aloe
If we were having coffee this weekend, you might notice I have not shown up until Monday morning. No real impediments kept me from meeting my own deadline here. I have just been feeling spring fever. I have been particularly lazy on my blog, although I did manage a short piece of fiction this week. After my quick trip to Tempe and Scottsdale last week I started to shop around on air bnb for other wildflower destinations. I told myself I would fit in one more photo safari on this exceptional rain year when I am finished preparing my income taxes. I found some excellent options near Anza Borrego, California, where there is a gigantic super bloom happening now. It is very tempting to just pick up and go, but I do need to consider finances.
My vacation and photo shoot quickly turned into a spa staycation when a surprising turn of events changed my financial picture. The cheap knock off vibration platform I have been enjoying daily kicked the bucket. This was distressing because I am now addicted to using it, and must replace it with one that will not break after two month’s use. I read reviews and did more research than I did the first time, including calling an old friend who is a vendor of the Power Plate brand. The superior quality as well as the warranty convinced me to order a Power Plate platform. It will arrive tomorrow. I have a new appreciation for it, and see it as a good exchange for a short vacation. This will contribute to better health every day. I have become accustomed to the convenience of using it whenever I want at home. The wildflowers will have to wait. I have invested in my home spa gear and my every day pleasure. This investment will pay off in the future.
We are still finishing the ruby red grapefruit, and Bob brought home two cases of mangos from the produce distribution in the neighborhood on Saturday. He arrived as they were leaving, and wanted to get rid of extra tomatoes and mangos, so he took six cases of tomatoes, and two of ripe mangoes. They are in perfect condition, so I was roasting and simmering stroganoff and soup yesterday. I still have many tomatoes, so today I will set up the food drier to take care of more of them. I will make a batch of mango chutney and some salsa today too. I love the smell of chutney while it simmers. Please help yourself to fruit to go. We are overstocked once again.
If we were having coffee I would ask you to enjoy the scent of the lemon tree blooming in the back yard and the pink jasmine and white roses blooming in the front. The perfume of spring is heady and floral. It is warm and sunny. We cleared out all the wood from the garage, not expecting to need another fire in the stove this year. Tell me how your writing has been going. I hope you are not on a lazy streak like I am. This is not writer’s block. This is plain old procrastination. Do you suffer from that? It seems like after I miss one day of blogging it is easy to skip another. I need to jumpstart that writing engine and get in gear. Thanks for sharing stories and digital beverages this week. Pardon my tardiness, please. I will work on that for next week.
If you would like to connect with a group of talented diverse writers, check out Nerd in the Brain, our gracious hostess.
#WeekendCoffeeShare
#WritePhoto Sunken Spirits
March 9, 2017
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horizon
The excursion lasted for months. The tedium had begun to take it’s toll on the crew. Provisions had run low, and the boring meals of salt cod and oatmeal were getting on everyone’s nerves. The search for the shipwreck had turned into a nightmare. Now lost, after the GPS was washed overboard in the storm, they wondered if this island would be their final resting place. Landing on an uninhabited island, they questioned who had built the pillars on the beach that were now in ruins. They surveyed the beach and the inland for signs of human occupation, but found nothing more recent than the ruined pillars of stone. They could find no stones of similar type on the island either, which made them speculate that the stones had been brought to the island from another place.
They learned to catch fish in the lagoon and the ocean to survive. They had a fresh water spring to keep them alive, but there was little vegetation. Day to day life was a struggle that created tension and friction between everyone. There was not enough to eat, and there was little hope of rescue since they had no idea where they were. This Gilligan’s Island was all too real for this group who had never seen themselves as survivalists. When they sailed from Bermuda they all wore snappy nautical outfits and hats with matching logos. When the boat capsized in the storm they lost all the extra clothing, and most of them drifted ashore in pajamas and nightgowns. They found themselves without any of the comforts on which they had become accustomed. They feared the worst, but had not been brought up to even know about the worst.
In other circumstances they might have bragged to all their friends back at the club about discovering an island with stone ruins, then learning it was Atlantis. Under present conditions it was doubtful that they would ever see the club or their friends again. They had sunk their vessel out in the channel, and with it, their hopes and dreams. They started making up stories about Atlantis and the Bermuda Triangle to pass the time while they slowly perished.
Please join a lively group of writers for stories inspired by today’s photo prompt by Sue Vincent. Read, comment, or submit your own story.
#writephoto
Old Town Scottsdale For History, Art, And Cuisine
March 7, 2017
— 3 Comments
Old Town Scottsdale
Old Town Scottsdale
The small section of town known as Old Town Scottsdale includes a park, a history museum, and a performing arts center. The retail establishments are known for western art and Mexican imports. Native American jewelry and pottery can be purchased, as well as contemporary cowboy and cowgirl fashion. There is a popular farmers’ market on Saturday morning, and many bars and restaurants are scattered throughout the area. Many of the businesses have been in the same location for decades. It is a tourist destination for winter visitors, especially baseball fans who come for Spring Training.
I visited recently for a photo shoot capture some architectural and botanical images, and brunch. I stopped at the centrally located information booth run by Downtown Ambassadors to ask a few questions. I inquired about the Mexican food dining options within walking distance. Susan Sentner and her sidekick Joyce were on duty greeting visitors. They were a wealth of knowledge as well as welcoming, warm, and witty. They helped me locate the perfect brunch for me at the Mission, and furnished me with a list of all the public art in Old Town. I had fun swapping stories with these friendly ladies. They greatly enhanced my knowledge of Old Town as well as my enjoyment of it. After my delightful meal I had run out of time to photograph all the public art pieces. I have saved the list and map for a future project when I return for my next visit.
Joy and Susan
There are volunteer ambassadors to greet and guide visitors at information carts located at both Main St & Brown Avenue and at 5th Avenue and Stetson, seven days a week, from October through May. They are proud of their city and have valuable insights to share with guests. If you go to Old Town make sure you take advantage of their free services to make the most of your visit. They know everything.
Susan Sentner, Ambassador
The Scotts
The Mission
The Mission Brunch
Blacksmith
Blacksmith
Old Town Scottsdale
Old Town Scottsdale
New Moon Solar Eclipse 2/26/17
February 27, 2017
— 1 Comment
Tune in to the eclipse. Go inward for the answers.
The New Moon is always an intuitive phase. Set the best most hope full intentions because under this New Moon Solar eclipse [today, 959am, Northern Hemisphere ], the tone will be set for the new few months ahead. This is a time to look ahead with promise. This Solar eclipse energy will be intense yet hopeful. The Sun brightens and illuminates. The Moon will be absorbing all the “info” that the luminary has for us. Use this time to get your “download”. Perhaps take a moment to write out your intentions. Your hopes. Your dreams. What are the FEELINGS that you have about this new chapter? What new essence do you need in order to manifest these things? The Manifestation portal is opening with this Solar New Moon eclipse.
Pisces energy is naturally about intuition and reflection anyway. Always in search of deeper meaning. Get into that flow. Think of…
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#WeekendCoffeeShare, Spring Farming
February 25, 2017
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Desert Botanical Garden
Desert Botanical Garden
Desert Botanical Garden
Desert Botanical Garden
Desert Botanical Garden
Desert Botanical Garden
Desert Botanical Garden
If we were having coffee I would invite you to once again sit by the wood stove, which has been cranked up for a couple of days. This short cold snap may be the last time we need to burn wood this year. The quick warm up has caused all the trees to go into blossom mode. My peach tree is in bloom, and the apricot and grapefruit are budding up. Since I still had a large crop of ruby-red grapefruit on the tree I needed to act quickly to get them picked. It stresses the tree and the fruit will start to lose weight if I leave it much longer. I picked about 100 pounds, and took them to the farmers market. I am a member of a coop sponsored by our food bank that allows us to drop off our produce to be sold at the coop table.
It is great because small growers who do not produce enough to want to rent their own table use the coop to sell their fruits, herbs, and vegetables. I joined last year when I had too many grapefruit at the end of the season, and think it is a wonderful service to the community. I take extra herbs and citrus that turn out to be more than we can use. Others are doing it to increase income from home gardening. I came back to the market at the perfect time!! Tomorrow there will be a party at a brewery downtown hosted by the Arizona Small Scale Farmers Alliance, a ranger and farmer meet up. This will be a very fun event for me. I plan to attend and find out what is happening in local farmer land. I have also made my plans for wildflower safari to Tempe and Scottsdale in the beginning of March. One of my Air bnb hosts up there has a miniature farm with free range chickens and organic gardens. Guests are invited and encouraged to eat the produce and eggs. That will be interesting to see as well as taste. I want to see what farmers do in Scottsdale.
My trip to Maricopa County will include the opening of a new butterfly pavilion at the Desert Botanical Gardens for which they are having a party. It will be wildflower as well as citrus bloom season up there, so the sights and scents will be very exciting. On Sunday I will visit the Museum of the Musical Instrument, where I will see the exhibits at leisure the attend a classical matinée concert by the Phoenix Symphony. There are special exhibits about 20th century guitar art, and another about Woodie Guthrie. I could easily spend an entire day there. I am enthusiastically looking forward to my weekend away, not very far from home. I plan to purposely take some botanical/architectural images to use later as prompts for poetry or fiction. There will be plenty of subject matter from which to choose. I am still writing fiction once a week to Sue Vincent’s photo prompts, which gave me the idea to capture a few of my own for future use. April is poetry month and I always use an image with each of the 30 poems, so might as well prepare.
If we were having coffee I would be seriously pushing the grapefruit juice, and sending a few fruits home with you when you go. I want to hear about your week and writing projects. I know many of you are still in winter, and are probably getting tired of it. My early spring farming issues might not inspire much sympathy if you are still snowed in. Think of it this way. Soon you will be able to enjoy the blaze of color and flash of Phoenician spring without leaving home. I will bring it to you on coffee share. I only wish I could transmit the amazing aroma of citrus in bloom. It is sweet and uplifting beyond measure. Thank you for visiting this week. Take some spring vibes home with you.
If you want to join other writers and digital beverage drinkers visit Nerd In The Brain to hook up with stories from around the globe each weekend. Feel free to read, comment, enjoy, or submit a post of your own here.
#WeekendCoffeeShare
#WritePhoto Water Under The Bridge
February 23, 2017
— 7 Comments
beneath-the-bridge
Jumping along on stepping-stones, making an effort to stay dry, we cross the stream and climb the hill on the other side. Our party had broken up early because a sudden thunder-storm toppled the picnic table and sent the folding chairs flying everywhere. Collecting our belongings and soggy food we ran for cover. We found shelter beneath a railroad bridge that had been abandoned, and was crumbling into ruins.
This was once the busy main line that connected the industrial cities with the farms in the rules countryside. Passengers and freight traveled regularly on this railroad for both commercial and recreational purposes. Many wealthy city folks owned large estates in the country that employed hundreds of servants and maintenance staff. They came out for the weekends to fox hunt and throw lavish house parties. As the aristocracy lost fame and fortune, only the royals could afford such extravagances. The big houses were abandoned one by one. There was no work for butlers or maids, and few servants had other skills to sustain them. Everyone moved away from the area in order to find work or live within their reduced means.
The muddy water rushed down from above, carrying debris and some loose toys and lawn furniture and skeleton remains that had been swept away in the torrential downpour. The waste that society creates floated by in the current. Our history, our ancestors’ skills and dreams, were washed away before our eyes. When the sun came out again our spirits were still dampened. We slowly emerged from our muddy perch to search for our companions. The happy picnic by the brook had become a somber reminder of sudden quirks of fate.
This story is an interpretation of this weeks photo prompt by Sue Vincent. Please visit to contribute or meet other writers here.
#writephoto
Say It In Latin, Fiat Justitia
February 22, 2017
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The term fiat justitia (et ruat caelum) means let justice be done (though the heavens fall). In other words, justice is the most important of all things to be done. In our society justice has been left to wither and die. Social injustice has overcome the masses and the inequity of income inequality is taken for granted. The vast majority of the American population has little knowledge of finances or government. They have no political will, so to speak, because the lack the education to discern right from wrong and lawful from criminal. They have been trampled by unjust and corrupt institutions that no longer have legitimate authority. We are in a crisis of ignorance. This volatile time in history will certainly change the world. The question is, will we wake up in time to make a change for the better?
We have been hypnotized to believe that justice is no longer possible. I like what this trippy Irish guy has to say about this. We are our own judges, gentle readers.
scales
justice
Special Christianity
February 19, 2017
— 1 Comment
President Donald Trump embraces several political stances important to his conservative evangelical base. This includes support for “religious liberty” legislation and exempting evangelicals from laws upholding lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual rights. However, Trump does not demonstrate any of the beliefs that have historically characterized evangelicalism. Unlike the majority of American evangelicals, he does not…
via This 19th Century Movement Could Explain Donald Trump’s Faith — TIME
