As a historical/ancestral researcher by trade, I am always digging in archival repositories for my clients. But this time, I was on the hunt for my own ancestor. I packed a suitcase and sailed for Louisville, Kentucky. It was a pleasant 9 hour drive straight east from Kansas City. I was aware that the Kentucky Derby is hosted in Lousiville ever year, and so avoided those dates. But I was caught by surprise to discover that the PGA Tour was in progress on the date of my arrival. Luckily, my hotel was across the Ohio River in Jeffersonville, Indiana so I didn’t get entangled in the traffic from the massive crowds.
Early on Monday morning, I drove the few miles across the bridge and into the heart of downtown Louisville. I found a public parking lot and walked onto the block where GPS pointed me. I stopped to gaze at the Grand Ladies who stand proudly shoulder-to-shoulder. They are the majestic historic buildings who have viewed Kentucky life for over 150 years. I gave an honoring nod to them and found where I was headed: the Sons of the American Revolution library.
Several months ago, I was walking through my local Public Market, when a woman at a booth stepped out and approached me. She asked if I wanted to know if I had an ancestor in the American Revolution. I lit up! My answer was an excited yes. She is with the Daughers of the American Revolution. They had me provide information back to my grandparents and then they worked their magic. They were able to find my ancestral soldier through a small branch on a female line. I couldn’t wait to get into a repository and search for Great+ Grandfather Thomas Hulett. And that is how I ended up in Lousiville, Kentucky standing in a well-endowed library.
I chose my desk, started pulling books and then plying librarian Walker Byer with questions. Walker knew just where to look. I also learned from Zach Distel, the Curator and Director, that they are in the process of constructing a musuem on the American Revolution. This place is teeming with information.
For two days I labored. However, I interspersed the investigation time with leg-stretching strolls through the historic district. Just across the street from the SAR library is the Louisville Slugger Museum.
I am not a huge sports person, so instead I asked Robin, at the front desk of the SAR for a recommendation. She told me to go to a nearby history musuem, the Filson.
The Filson Historical Society consists of three buildings: the first is a 1905 mansion (which you can tour) and the next two are uber modern. They compliment each other well. The Historical Society was established 140 years ago, and has accumulated archives for the entire Ohio River Valley that fills 6 stories within the buildings! They also offer a variety of first-class events. The Filson is a main attraction in Lousiville.
Back in the neighborhood of the SAR headquarters there are several places within two blocks to get a bite to eat or a morning coffee.
I only eat light meals, so the Wiltshire Cafe provided me with the perfect option: a slice of quiche, with fruit and a delicate iced tea.
The second day I ate at the Main Eatery, which has several floors with lovely nooks. It is invightingly cozy, and just what I needed after hours reading through hundreds of pages. This setting is good for unwinding, whereas the big open room venues are a more stimulating environment.
So at the end of my trip, what had I discovered about my ancestor? After two days of scouring through stacks of books, I learned, back then, that the illustrious members of society were well documented. And the simple people who did the actual fighting and winning of the war, received little notice. I found only one notation on Thomas Hulett. He was involved in “billeting money to and from the camp”. I am not even certain what exactly that means. I can only surmise. Before I arrived at the library, I had obtained Thomas Hulett’s pension record. He was in Shay’s Rebellion and was a minuteman, but was declined a pension. He died in poverty. I left heavy-hearted but inpsired. As I walked to my car, I whispered, “I am proud you, Thomas Hulett….and oh so grateful.”