Braehead
“In 1864 the Northern Army took possession of the house and farm. They burnt the good brick barn, killed the cows, ate the chickens, smashed the china, tore up dress goods, destroyed or stole the family Bible which had in it already three generations. In a joking spirit they paraded around in a dozen beaver hats which Uncle John had stored up, prodded the floors and folding doors with bayonets, threw the dining room chairs through the window glass and wrote their names and initials in various places. The wonder is more mischief was not done but the five-year old house made sturdy resistance with its strong material and workmanship.” Mary Howision, “Braehead,” copy in FRSP files.
The surviving signatures are from members of the 22nd New York Cavalry:
- EWM Co H XXII (carved in a door frame)
- D.H. Dickinson – Co. G 22d NY Cavalry – May 26th 1864 (written on a basement wall)