Write it Down

Any of you that came to the Underground Railroad Tour of Greenwich in June will remember the message from tour guide Cliff Oliver, "Write it down." He gave us this nugget of advice because many members of the Congregational Church involved in the Underground Railroad left written records of what happened, what they did, how they helped with the cause. Without this first hand documentation, we as historians would be in the dark as to the involvement of the citizens of Greenwich & Easton in the Abolition Movement.

Just some of my personal diaries

Did these citizens have a sense of their part in history? Is that why they took pains to record their part? In this particular case, I think so. But what about us? Do we realize our unique place in history? As an historian, I think I do. I keep a diary; a daily account of my everyday life. I also keep a number of journals; including ideas for embroidery patterns, poems, prose, ramblings & musings about various topics, an exercise log, etc. I also have 2 blogs, this one & one that is an extension of my embroidery design journal.

May 8, 2011 diary entry of Tisha Dolton

What about you? Do you journal or blog? Are you a diarist? If so, do you have a plan for what becomes of your writings & records? In my official capacity as Town Historian, those records belong to the citizens of the town & will stay in the custody of the Town of Greenwich, but what about my person records? I've been thinking about this more & more, as I completed my Information Science degree & while I was interning at the NY State Archives. Where would be the best repository to entrust my records? The Gill Room? My Alma Mater, & if so, which one? Hmmm...

Diary entry of February 24, 2007- Tisha Dolton

July 15, 2005 diary entry of Tisha Dolton

As you can see, my own diary entries are nothing earth-shattering, but they are my own. They provide a look into my life as a single parent, raising her daughter in the same house with her parents in rural, upstate NY. If my diaries were the only ones to survive, would this paint an accurate picture of history?

Diary entry of July 5, 2004- Tisha Dolton

If you want your story to be told, "Write it down." (Then preserve it in an archives.)

My visit to Gettysburg

After a lovely 2 days in the nation's Capital, my sister & I drove to Gettysburg National Military Park for a visit. Being a Washington County girl, I had to see the monument to the 123rd New York Infantry, 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 12th Corps of the Army of the Potomac. The gentleman at the desk at the Visitor Center had a book of all the monuments, but go knowing the regiment you are searching for. I was able to search on my phone & get the location. I am providing it for you below...

123rd NY monument is between stops 13 and 14

Quoting the monument... "The 123rd N.Y. was enlisted in Washington Co. in Aug. 1862 mustered into the U.S. service Sept. Joined the Army of the Potomac and was engaged in the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. In Sept. 1863 transferred to the Army of the Cumberland and was engaged in the Campaign of Atlanta the March to the Sea and the Campaign of the Carolinas. Mustered out at Washington at the close of the war June 8, 1865."

My ticket to the museum inside the visitor center

Here are my pictures taken on Thursday afternoon, 8 August 2013.

123rd NY monument on Slocum Ave in Gettysburg NMP

123rd NY left flank marker at Gettysburg NMP

Gettysburg NMP information marker regarding 123rd NY

Service panel on 123rd NY monument

History panel on 123rd NY monument

Battles the 123rd NY were engaged in

Last panel stating location of the line

Back side of the 123rd NY monument 

Front view of the 123rd NY monument

Closeup of top of the 123rd NY monument

Notice the castle-like look of this monument here at the feet of the recorder of events (possibly Clio). A number of the NY monuments throughout Gettysburg look like castles. It did not appear that any other sate used this kind of imagery in their monuments. Something to look into...

If you have never been to Gettysburg NMP, I highly recommend it. & be prepared to spend to whole day.

123rd NY Monument in Greenwich NY

This is our monument to the citizens of Greenwich, NY who fought in the Civil War. Erected in 1916 for the Grand Army of the Republic Post 326. I took this image during the Underground Railroad Tour in June 2013.

Other websites to checkout regarding the 123rd NY monument:
123rd NY history
Huletts Current blog
Stone Sentinels
Historic Marker database