After the Revolutionary War (War of Rebellion), a new country, the United States of America, was formed during the 1780s. Up to this war, the colonial monetary system was a Hodge podge system of bartering and the English Pound. Tobacco and nails were commonly used as money. (Maybe you've heard of a 6 penny or 10 penny nail?) After the Revolutionary War. the federal monetary system took some time to fully establish itself. Did you know that at one time individual states issued money? Tennessee was one of those as found on this promissory note where my g-g-grandfather promised to pay in 'the current money of Tennessee'. The note reads: "By the 25th of December next I promise to pay John Hord(ner)? the sum of Eight Dollars inthe current money of the State of Tennessee for value received of him this 8th of May 1827." Notice that the old style of writing the double-s appears in the word Tennessee. The first s is highly elongated above and below the base line. It has the same height and descender as the letter f and is commonly confused by transcribers. The differences are: The f's upper and lower loops are both on the right side of the vertical staff; For the s, the upper loop is the same but the lower loop is on the left side of the staff, like an elongated numeral 8. Sometime during the 1830s, this style of writing ss changed to the present modern form.

Great photos everyone. I love checking here every day and am constantly amazed at the wonderful pictures. Nicole - that photo is stunning! How did you get the black background? I don't have any photographic abilities, I don't even own a camera, I just aim my cell phone and hope for the best and sometimes I am pleasantly surprised. Maire

From Avalon, Catalina Island

jrb, our snowpack is usually gone by mid-April early May. Our permanent snow (snowpack) usually falls in October and stays until the spring melt.