In Deetz's book there is an interesting story. An architect comes to see him
with some old artifacts, very old from an area not to well known to be
"historic". Turned out, it's the unfinished construction of one Isaac
Allerton, who came over on the Mayflower, a Puritan. Well, I was surprised
because I was researching a still empty lot in NYC South Stree Seaport
Historic District for Greenhouse Consultants, Inc., who have had offices in
NYC for many years. Isaac Allerton had a "foot in the door" if you will, in
New Amsterdam and had what is known as "Allerton's Warehouse" outside "The
Wall" on the East River, where most boats tied up as prevailing winds
allowed leaving without a tow. Here he maintained an "English" presence in
the "new city" now New York, and kept lodgings for some travellers and
carried on trade as he also maintained his private residence in New Haven,
CT, where his remains were moved to the cemetery maintained by Yale
University, I believe his stone incorporated, barely legible, in the outside
wall? Anyway, he apparently conducted his trade, according to design and
history, from Maine (once part of the Duke of York's "Colony") to
Connecticut, trading in goods. To this day, a large thoroughfare and
designated shopping district, in the Bronx County of NYC, is named Allerton
Avenue. A monument by the Plymouth Society once stood around 100 years ago
in the South Street Seaport, its where-abouts today unknown, its address I
"rediscovered". Thank you James Deetz.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Carl Barna" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, March 15, 2004 11:04 AM
Subject: Re: Just the facts, ma'am


> Hi, Ron --
>
> One of the best examples of your comments regarding the interpersonal or
> platform skills needed by HAs that I ever saw were presentations done by
> the late James Deetz.  He was, perhaps, the best spokesperson for HA that
> I've ever met, or had the chace to see in action.
>
> When I used to work at the BLM Supreme HQ in DC, I always thought about
> taking off and going down to volunteer at his proejct at Flowerdew,
> especially after I attended Mark Leone's HA-Sailing Field School in
> Annapolis.  To my great regret, I never did that.  I was one of those
> History grad students that wanted to fold HA and material culture studies
> into a dissertation on 18th century military history, but was told by my
> committee that I couldn't.  But I did get to volunteer at a few such sites
> later on my own dime.
>
> I've recently heard that there is a revised edition of "In Small
Things..."
> is out.  I don't know who did it - I assume it was done after his death -
> but I plan to track down a copy.
>
> Cheers!
>
> Carl Barna
> Regional Historian
> BLM Colorado State Office
>