William Whitt Stories – Pathway Journey

September 14, 2023October 25, 2023

Hog Killin’ 1787

Historical Fiction based on the Life of William Whitt (1775-1850), My 3rd-Great-Grandfather

Disclaimer: It’s real cultural history, don’t be squeamish.

It was the last of October and we had the first killing frost near the middle of the month here in Virginia. It was hog killing time and we had three to kill. We always waited for cool weather so the meat wouldn’t spoil before we salted or smoked it for our winter meat.

Our shoats foraged in the nearby woods for about six months before we brought them in for corn fatting for a few weeks. Back in early spring, one of our old sows had farrowed a litter of pigs numbering eight. One died soon after birth when she laid down too fast for the little feller to get out of the way. Some critter stole another one. We ended up with six total with four boars and two gilts.

May 9, 2023May 8, 2023

Mama, Am I an Orphan?

Historical Fiction based on the Life of William Whitt (1775-1850)

I had just started school in the fall of 1781. I noticed right off that all the pupils in my class had a father except me and two others. Being fatherless was all I had ever known. My father died in the War of Independence while they were encamped at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania with General George Washington. I was only about two years old when my father left to fight. I had no lasting memory of him or his dying in the spring of 1778.