It was so nice to have a short drive to my next camp spot. It gave me time to have my coffee and take off in the truck – without the trailer – to visit an ancestral site here in Lancaster, PA. Marie Ferree’s grave site was about 20 minutes from my camp spot, so off I went.
I’m a Ferree up my Dad’s side. Mattie Ferree was my great grandmother, mother of my grandfather, Roy Arnold. She died in 1882 when Roy was two years old, alas. Marie Ferree goes up that tree – and she would be my 6 times great grandmother. That’s a LONG way back. The reason she’s important is that lore has it she was a protestant escaping the harsh treatment of the catholic French kings, made her way to England and on the way met William Penn. He introduced her to Queen Anne who deeded her land in Pennsylvania. There’s lots more to this story, but I’ll spare you the details here. Suffice it to say, she settled in Pennsylvania and started the town of Paradise.
Being at that cemetery was so much more peaceful than the Marvin cemetery I visited yesterday. After taking a few photos, I found myself needing to stay a while. Marie Ferree was asking me to take a break, to breathe, to just be in the moment.
I headed back to the campsite, packed up and drove two hours to the KOA near DC. I expected it to be in a city venue, but on the contrary. My camp spot is in this beautiful wooded area. Oh backing in . . . Sigh. After many forward/backwards, I finally coaxed the beast into her cozy space. I have to say it’s the most beautiful site I’ve been in so far. Lucky me because I’m here 5 nights.
Tomorrow I have an appointment with the Maryland State Archives. This is a real long shot – seeing if I can find information on Anthony Murray’s birth, and perhaps finding information on his parents? Wish me luck.
10/17/2024
Good luck! — Craig