Browning was a contemporary and acquaintance of the children of the earliest western Maryland pioneers. He wrote primarily for the purpose of describing his hunting adventures in what is now Garrett County, but in passing he also described some of the primitive conditions of his times, such as housing his wife, first three children, and himself in a 16-foot-by-12-foot cabin, about the size of a single modern-day bedroom. From his understanding of medicine of his time, to his accounts of people's reactions to Indian attacks not far west of Maryland, to his observations about nature, the book is a unique first-hand account. I think it is impossible for us today to capture a real appreciation of what life was like for our pioneer ancestors of western Maryland. Technology has profoundly affected us all. But for those seeking some glimpse of what life was like for our ancestors in that bygone era, one can do no better than Browning's book. Walt Warnick ---------------------- Art Grady wrote: >So, group, what say you, is this a good readable book? (Meshack B book) I have heard of it over the years but never taken the trouble to get it under my nose. > >Art > >Pat Thompson <Pat125@erols.com> wrote: >Delores wrote: >Pat, Do you think John Ashbury is even aware that what wasthen Frederick >Co. is now Garrett, and that present Frederick Co. can lay no claim to >Browning? >------------- >I am not sure if today's Frederick County can't lay claim to Meshack >Browning? It is my understanding that Meshack was born near Browningsville, >or what is today the area near Damsacus, Maryland. > >Did he do everything he said he did in his book? I am not sure, but he left >a history of the area (for the time) that very few others thought to do. > >I don't recall reading anything either about him helping Washington, but I >would have to dig through my files and see ........... who was it that >Meshack took into his home, caring for them until their death? > >Maybe he was a little self serving, but still a very interesting character >of the times, don't you think? > >Pat-T > > > >==== MDGARRET Mailing List ==== >If you need help with this list, make sure to email the list administrator, Carol Hepburn, at chepburn@cox.net. > > >--------------------------------- >Do you Yahoo!? >Free Pop-Up Blocker - Get it now > > >==== MDGARRET Mailing List ==== >If you need help with this list, make sure to email the list administrator, Carol Hepburn, at chepburn@cox.net. > > > >

Thank you Walt, sounds like a must read for me. I am also French Canadian with scores of ancestors back to 1632 and recently stumbled onto a book outside a Community College library door marked "Cancelled, Free". Turned out to be a journal of the experiences of Alexander Henry, one of the first Englishmen to try to take over French trapping routes after the fall of New France to the English. He chronicled many interesting, wild, terrifying experiences of years around Michigan and into British Columbia. When I finished reading it I wished there was more. Sounds like Browning book would be similar. Art Walt Warnick <ashlie@erols.com> wrote: Browning was a contemporary and acquaintance of the children of the earliest western Maryland pioneers. He wrote primarily for the purpose of describing his hunting adventures in what is now Garrett County, but in passing he also described some of the primitive conditions of his times, such as housing his wife, first three children, and himself in a 16-foot-by-12-foot cabin, about the size of a single modern-day bedroom. From his understanding of medicine of his time, to his accounts of people's reactions to Indian attacks not far west of Maryland, to his observations about nature, the book is a unique first-hand account. I think it is impossible for us today to capture a real appreciation of what life was like for our pioneer ancestors of western Maryland. Technology has profoundly affected us all. But for those seeking some glimpse of what life was like for our ancestors in that bygone era, one can do no better than Browning's book. Walt Warnick ---------------------- Art Grady wrote: >So, group, what say you, is this a good readable book? (Meshack B book) I have heard of it over the years but never taken the trouble to get it under my nose. > >Art > >Pat Thompson wrote: >Delores wrote: >Pat, Do you think John Ashbury is even aware that what wasthen Frederick >Co. is now Garrett, and that present Frederick Co. can lay no claim to >Browning? >------------- >I am not sure if today's Frederick County can't lay claim to Meshack >Browning? It is my understanding that Meshack was born near Browningsville, >or what is today the area near Damsacus, Maryland. > >Did he do everything he said he did in his book? I am not sure, but he left >a history of the area (for the time) that very few others thought to do. > >I don't recall reading anything either about him helping Washington, but I >would have to dig through my files and see ........... who was it that >Meshack took into his home, caring for them until their death? > >Maybe he was a little self serving, but still a very interesting character >of the times, don't you think? > >Pat-T > > > >==== MDGARRET Mailing List ==== >If you need help with this list, make sure to email the list administrator, Carol Hepburn, at chepburn@cox.net. > > >--------------------------------- >Do you Yahoo!? >Free Pop-Up Blocker - Get it now > > >==== MDGARRET Mailing List ==== >If you need help with this list, make sure to email the list administrator, Carol Hepburn, at chepburn@cox.net. > > > > ==== MDGARRET Mailing List ==== If you need help with this list, make sure to email the list administrator, Carol Hepburn, at chepburn@cox.net. --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Free Pop-Up Blocker - Get it now