THE OLD BARN (Part One) (standard:other, 2018 words) [1/4] show all parts
Author: Kenneth Nash	Updated: Mar 19 2006	Views/Reads: 3872/2155	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
If the old abandoned barn could talk it would tell of the happiness, hardships, and hearbreak of the four generations of families living there from early 1840-to mid 1900.

THE OLD BARN 

(Part One) 

The roof, brown with rust, was partially collapsed. Rough hewn timber,
gray from years of weathering, split and broken, had fallen from the 
walls. The door hanging loosely by one rusty hinge was creaking from 
the wind. Weeds had grown high almost concealing the window and 
entrance. It sat alone in the field. 

How many winters had it endured? How many generations of families had
used it? What tragedies and happiness was encountered here? 

If only the old barn could talk! 

Jeremiah Joseph McCauley and his young bride, Sarah, moved to the
property to homestead and raise a family. Was it in the year of 1842 or 
43? Too many years have passed since then. But it was during the time 
John Tyler was president. 

Jeremiah had started building the barn shortly after the little log
cabin was completed. With help from neighbors he cut oak logs, hewn and 
split by hand, to make planks for the walls. It seemed like a daunting 
task, the work was hard, and seemed like it was taking forever to 
finish. But, Jeremiah looked forward to the time it would house the 
milk cow, horses, and the hay that he was growing. It was worth it. The 
barn would help provide for his family. 

Finally, after the “barn raising” it was time to celebrate. Before the
stalls were built, Jeremiah and Sarah hosted a barn dance. Neighbors 
brought food, guitars, fiddles, and banjos. Some of the men dusted off 
their fruit jars of “corn likker” and made frequent trips outside. If 
the women folk suspected anything, they didn't let on about it. 

Jeremiah worked in the corn and hay fields, cut wood, and did some work
as a woodworker for some of the townsfolk. He was a tall man with 
unruly dark brown hair, and piercing blue eyes. His ma and pa had 
taught him the value of honesty, hard work, and the responsibility of 
providing for his family. His word was his bond and he became well 
thought of by everyone that knew him. 

Sarah was the “prettiest woman he had ever laid eyes on” to Jeremiah's
way of thinking. She had long coal black hair, usually done up in a bun 
under her bonnet, and soft brown eyes. Sarah was acquainted with hard 
work, also. 

Her day began as soon as the sun came up. The garden that she tended to,
the chickens, and hogs that were cared for and eggs that were gathered 
and sold to the little general store in town put food on the table for 
her family. 

Hardships in the 1840s were many, but the excitement of having and
caring for her husband and little home made them bearable. 

It was the third year of their marriage. Jeremiah was elated. Sarah was
in “a family way” with their first child. Yet, he was concerned that 
the only doctor in Hickory Ridge, the closest town, would not be 
available at the time of the baby's birth. 

Sarah told him she had already talked with Mrs. Claremore over on the
next farm. Elsie Claremore had probably helped with the delivery of 
more children than young Dr. Adney. 

Even with the long hours of work Sarah and Jeremiah spent as much time
as they could together. Evenings were a favorite time. They would stand 
by the corral and watch the golden-red sun slowly sink into the 
horizon. There were memories already made at their homestead. They 
laughed at the funny things that occurred while erecting the barn. 
Jeremiah still guffawed when he thought of the first time Sarah 
attempted to milk “Bessie” the cow. Sometimes they would go down to 
Willow Creek, sit on the grassy bank, and enjoy the sound of the water 
bubbling over the rocks to the waterfall a few yards downstream. The 
crystal clear stream not only provided them with pleasure, it was the 
source of water for cooking, drinking, bathing, and watering the 
livestock. 


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