Monday, September 28, 2026

Catholics in 1690s Ireland were the basis for Black Slave laws in Virginia?

 By 1695 in Ireland, Catholics could not buy new property, could not buy weapons... and soon they only owned 14% of the land....by 1704...a nice horse was not allowed to be owned by Catholics since it might be used for a militia. Wow. This is very similar to black slave laws passed on early 1700s Virginia by the Virginia Corporation.... Catholics in Ireland were limited in education....

 

 

 

 

My Sparling distant relative lives in New Zealand! My ancestors in Ireland drank hard cider and were NOT direct cousins!

In the 1600s a lot of Huguenots, inspired by new religious laws, moved from Switzerland to the Palatinate - hence the name Switzer in my family ancestry (originally spelled Swisser or Schwiser, meaning Swiss Man). A particularly harsh winter in 1708/9 saw vines wither...birds freeze in mid-flight and the River Thames to freeze over for ice-skating.... and the Palatines petitioned to leave that spring, May 1709.... the settling of British colonies by Protestants had already been promoted by several religious orders - showing the Natives of the New World...corralled into forts [neat wooden villages]...

"the native Indians are not but few compared to the formerly" 

Wow gotta entice those Protestant settlers!  The Palatines were considered to be good Wine growers - Viticulturists... compared to even other German settlers... the colonists in the new World colony were to be granted 100 free acres each with free corn seed! 

While "viniculturalist" (or "viniculturist") is still a recognized word in major dictionaries like Merriam-Webster, it has largely fallen out of standard professional use...

The Swiss who had already settled in the Palatinate were still considered poor and could be controlled as an English colony in the New World without fear of French revolt....this was to be in the Carolinas...the 100 acres were to be granted with no payment for 10 years... 

The Tory Party of England considered the Palatines and Huguenots as the "scum of all Europe."  The Whigs had pushed through the Palatine immigration... 

Both labels started as insults. "Whig" came from a term for Scottish Presbyterians and horse thieves; "Tory" came from an Irish word for a papist outlaw...

 So about a 1000 Palatines showed up in London as "strong and fit for work...." Some of the Palatines brought "vessels of Brandy" but they were confiscated by custom officials....An advertisement was put in the Post Boy to sell off the Palatine immigrants into England...by this time 6,600 Palatines had camped out into London and more also in Rotterdam..."miserably...and ruined..."

after another 2000 arrived, then famine was feared and it was recommended to send them off to work in the mines....

 Londoners feared a "malignant distemper," they were often referring to highly contagious human killers like typhus (jail fever), smallpox, or the bubonic plague....

at this point it was realized there were Catholics from the Palatine and now only Protestants should be allowed - any future Catholics would be turned back...2,275 were returned to Holland with some money...

 Husbandman/Vinedresser was the main occupation listed for the Palatine immigrants....with 33 other trades/crafts listed! 

by the end of August 1709 were 12,000 Palatines in London! Wow. A proposed settled in Sundridge Kent was met by protests from the locals... "angry mobs...were not happy."

821 families of  3,073 people then were sent to Ireland!! Some were proposed to be sent to Jamaica was each plantation was required to have one white servant for each 10 slaves and one white man-servant for the first five slaves.... wow! A resolution of 1000 Palatines was signed to be sent to Jamaica and a later report from 1s784 claimed all of the Palatines died while trying to clear the land in Jamaica! One Palatine name survives as owning over 4800 acres in Jamaica...Henry Bendish...

 2184 Palatines embarked to settle along the Hudson and 446 died from Typhus on the way there...

As winter of 1709 closed in then a wall was proposed for enclosed cooking for the remaining Palatines in London - to keep warmer....in their tents.... 

The Post Boy stated the Palatines are "healthy beyond Expectation" - to dismiss rumors of plague and infection of the Palatines... as long as they were "poor and industrious" then it was fine, compared to "poor and lazy."....

 Daniel DeFoe wrote a pamphlet to advocate for the Palatines.... arguing they should be settled in the forest...that the French-Swiss Protestants had already proven themselves as worthy immigrants when they had settled in the Palatinate in the 1689...

There were angry mobs in the streets of London at this time - based on religious dissent...and protests against it, etc. Meanwhile the Palatines "lingered in their camps" trying to survive...

In the Spring of 1710 some Iroquois  Indian Kings were upset at the plight of the Palatines - they were in London to argue their case for British protection along the Mohawk River and also argued for the Palatines to move to their land! Schoharie Valley....

The Palatines sent to Ireland were also provided money for cattle and tools....and household goods... and the Lords were to provide the land for the "poor Protestant strangers." Thomas Southwell was the most prominent Lord, of Castle Matrix, who settled the Palatines - including my ancestors.  Many Palatines were housed in the Royal Barracks upon arrival in Dublin....

In 1711 the Tories rescinded the "Naturalization Act" of the Whigs and the Tories called the Palatines "useless and indigent"  

 source:

European Migrants in Eighteenth Century Ireland: The Great Palatine Migration of 1709 by Katherine McCormick, 2025 book, page 86

  Wow - Rotorua New Zealand area - fascinating vid

Last night I watched Black 47 - the film about the famine struggle in Ireland 

 The Palatine tradition of loyalty to the Crown had a number of side effects. The downside was that they sometimes became the focus of anti-establishment feeling. This peaked in the difficult years of 1821–1822 when the country was suffering from an economic downturn compounded by famine. There were attacks on farmhouses, robbery and murders on the roads resulting in a wave of emigration. History repeated itself in the 1840s, many abandoning the Old Country to seek a life elsewhere....In addition to farming skills, all Palatines tried to ensure that their sons acquired an additional trade, carpenter, shoemaker or weaver, often apprenticed out to relatives. Some were attracted to trade and are to be found in the big cities.

This reminded me of my murdered Christopher Sparling ancestor in 1821. I discovered a book that had been self-published in New Zealand - and an email contact. Sure enough I received a nice long reply.

 Their younger brother Christopher is associated with the landholding of his wife’s family, the Corneilles. This was at Ballycurrane, to the west of Patrickswell. He later, on behalf of his newly married daughters, took on a lease at Rouska, on the Courtney Estate up in the hills to the west of Newcastle, a project which led to his murder.

This led me to reading more Sparling ancestry details.

https://latitude.to/articles-by-country/de/germany/6518/palatinate-region 

 The Sparlings exports cattle back to England. The Sparlings became militia leaders in St. Mary's Ontario... - "wardens" and a major and colonel....and a tax collector!

Father : John SPARLING
Mother : Mary SPARLING

Their parents were both Sparlings - meaning Sparling was actually Mary's maiden name! But they were SECOND cousins - not direct cousins...

Their Daughter Olivia moved to New Zealand. Mary Sparling and her daughter Susannah moved to St. Mary's Ontario or Huron tract Canada....

 , its historic site was originally surveyed in 1839 within the historical "Huron Tract"

 https://freepages.rootsweb.com/~jksparling/genealogy/

 Pony Trap | Stock Image - Science Source Images

 Pony and Trap is how they got around...

 The bride and groom only met after the suitability of the match had been considered by their parents.

 https://historyireland.com/irish-palatine-centre/

 My mom went to the Irish Palatine Center by Castle Matrix....

Irish Palatines adapted their homeland winemaking traditions into hard cider production after settling in Ireland in the 18th century. [1, 2]
History of Palatine Cider
  • German Roots: Palatine refugees arriving from the German Rhineland in 1709 brought wine-making skills, but shifted to cider due to Ireland's cooler climate. [1, 2, 3]
  • Orchards and Presses: Settling largely around County Limerick (such as Rathkeale and Ballingrane), they planted apple orchards next to their homes and built stone-wheeled cider presses. [1, 2, 3, 4]

 https://boydellandbrewer.com/blog/early-modern-and-modern-history/the-palatine-migration-irelands-european-connection/?v=0b3b97fa6688

European Migrants in Eighteenth Century Ireland: the Great Palatine Migration of 1709 and its Aftermath

In the early 17th Century, the Lower German Palatinate was rich with Protestant refugees from neighbouring lands. Families settled there to rebuild their lives and escape persecution. The Palatinate was repeatedly ravaged by attacks from France during the 17th Century.

Following a terribly harsh winter and responding to notices by New World landowners showing the benefits of emigrating to America, a substantial exodus of Palatine families occurred in 1709. Some of the Palatine emigrants of 1709 found their way directly to the New World, but over 13,000 were routed through London. The Landlords of Irish estates wanted to increase the Protestant tenant population, a goal supported by Queen Anne of England. In September 1709, almost 3000 Palatines were relocated to rural Ireland, with a roughly equivalent number being transported to New York and North Carolina. Over the following three years, more than two thirds of the Irish Palatine settlers left Ireland and returned to England and Germany.

Of the Landlords who successfully managed to induce their allotment of Palatine immigrants to remain in rural Ireland, the most successful was Sir Thomas Southwell of Castle Matrix near Rathkeale, Co. Limerick. He championed the Palatines to secure government support for the settlement venture and took care of many of their initial needs at considerable personal expense, being reimbursed only just before his death in 1720. In 1711, Southwell had retained only 10 families but by 1714 he had settled about 130 families on his lands, and the region around his demesne has retained the largest concentration of Irish Palatine residents to this day in Killeheen, Ballingrane, and Courtmatrix.

Thursday, September 24, 2026

How to bring back the Eisenhower Tax Rate on the Rich: Cancelling Billionaires

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihIJZ8HHNhY

Cancelling Billionaires Before They Cancel Us

The Urgent Case for a Wealth Tax

Published January 2026

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kfI-_5HhABM

 

Approximately 172,000 to over 430,000 U.S. households have a net worth or asset level at or above $25 million. [1, 2]
Wealth Breakdown
  • $25 Million+ Net Worth: Historical estimates from wealth-tracking firms like Spectrem Group put households with at least $25 million at around 172,000. [1]
  • $30 Million+ Net Worth: Recent Federal Reserve data analyses show roughly 430,000 U.S. households hold a net worth of $30 million or more (defining the ultra-high-net-worth tier

30 year old underground drinking water pipes can let in coliform from a nearby septic tank leak

 

Yes, your assessment of the flow dynamics and contaminant concentration is accurate.
If tree roots compromise a septic system—whether they crack the tank wall, clog a baffle, or break the surrounding pipes—untreated or partially treated wastewater leaks directly into the surrounding soil. [1, 2]
The behavior of coliform bacteria in this scenario follows key principles of groundwater hydrology:
  • Proximity to the Source: Coliform levels will be highest closest to the leak (the septic tank or broken pipe section). As the contaminated plume moves away from the source, the concentration of bacteria decreases due to natural filtration by soil particles, dilution by existing groundwater, and the natural die-off of the bacteria. [1]
  • Flow Direction (Downgradient): Groundwater acts as a conveyor belt. Contamination moves primarily in the direction of the hydraulic gradient (downstream/down-gradient). [1]
  • Impact on Drinking Pipes/Wells: If a shallow drinking water well or a compromised underground water line sits down-gradient in that specific path of flow, it is at a high risk of intercepting the most concentrated part of the bacterial plume. [1]
Important distinction regarding "pipes": While pressurized drinking water lines generally push water out (preventing external groundwater from entering), a drop in water pressure or a crack in a shallow well casing can easily pull this heavily contaminated groundwater directly into the drinking supply. [1, 2]
Are you currently dealing with a positive water test or a suspected root issue, and would you like guidance on how to safely shock chlorinate a well or locate the root blockage?

 Tree roots growing around a septic tank baffle or a sewer line can increase coliform bacteria in nearby groundwater if the roots damage the structure and create a pathway for wastewater to leak out

 https://trenchlesspedia.com/the-harmful-effects-of-tree-root-infiltration-on-potable-water-piping/2/4349

When water pipes are in operation, they can occasionally suffer minor cracks or loose joints which can cause water to seep into the surrounding soil. This moisture is detected by the tree roots, causing them to grow towards the source. In pipes containing relatively warm water, tree roots may also be drawn toward vapor that may escape into the soil through loose joints or cracks.

The roots, which typically start as tiny elements, called hair roots, enter the piping through the closest available opening to reach the water in inside the pipeline. As the roots remain untreated inside the pipe, they continue to grow until they completely occupy the pipe’s interior.

 https://halowater.com/2024/11/12/old-plumbing-and-its-effect-on-drinking-water-what-homeowners-need-to-know/

Yes, 30-year-old drinking water pipes can absolutely develop leaks, cracks, or structural weaknesses that allow coliform bacteria to enter the water supply. When a pipe degrades over time, breaches in its physical structure create direct pathways for surrounding soil, surface water, or environmental contaminants to seep in. Furthermore, the internal corrosion, rust, and pitting common in aging pipes provide a rough surface texture that encourages the growth of protective biofilms where bacteria can thrive. [1, 2, 3, 4]
⚠️ Understanding the Risks of Old Pipes & Coliform
According to the US EPA, the Maximum Contaminant Level Goal for total coliforms in drinking water is zero. If coliform is present, it acts as an "indicator organism," signaling that your filtration or containment system has been breached and that more dangerous pathogens—such as disease-causing viruses, parasites, or fecal E. coli—could potentially follow. [1, 2, 3]
 Yes, Black Berkey carbon purification elements effectively remove coliform bacteria (including E. coli) by more than 99.9%
bacteria are actually much larger than chlorine molecules and lead atoms. PUR PLUS filters actually work to significantly improve tap water taste, remove chlorine, and reduce certified contaminants like lead, mercury, 
Yes, most coliform bacteria are larger than 0.5 microns, particularly in their length. [1] Pur Plus Surpasses ordinary carbon filters on the market, this filter presents 0.5 Micron extreme-precision filtration ability. The filtration effect meets Particulate Class I standard which removes 99.99% cysts.
Coliform bacteria (such as Escherichia coli, Citrobacter, and Enterobacter) are rod-shaped organisms. Their size generally falls into the following dimensions: [1, 2]
  • Width/Diameter: Around 0.5 to 1.0 micron.
  • Length: Around 1.0 to 6.0 microns
 Purification standard: Black Berkey elements are classified as water purifiers rather than simple filters because they remove over 99.9999% of pathogenic bacteria...Use a dedicated pump: If your main water supply is unsafe, use a hand-pump priming tool like the Black Berkey Primer with clean, safe water, or use the alternative upright soaking method in a clean container for at least 8 hours
  Brown or reddish water indicates rusty drinking pipes 

Coliform bacteria are not pathogenic (disease causing) organisms but are a natural part of the microbiology of the intestinal tract of warm-blooded mammals, including man. Total coliform bacteria are a collection of relatively harmless microorganisms. Coliform bacteria can be found virtually everywhere – in soil, on skin, on animals, insects, in lakes and rivers, etc. Coliform bacteria are indicator organisms, which are used, in water microbiological analysis. When coliforms are present in unfiltered raw water, it is presumed that the larger disease causing organisms (pathogens) accompany them.

A specific subgroup of this collection is the fecal coliform bacteria, the most common member being Escherichia coli. These organisms may be separated from the total coliform and are associated only with the fecal material of warm-blooded animals. Fecal coliforms or E-Coli, is a particular type of coliform bacteria. Their presence in drinking water is more serious than other coliform bacteria because they are disease causing, and also indicate that drinking water has been contaminated by sewage or animal wastes that may contain other disease causing bacteria.

Black Berkey™ purification elements have been tested with over one billion E.coli microbes per liter (lawn growth). This contamination level is greater than 10,000 times the colony formation (number of pathogens) typically used when testing a filtration element for its ability to remove E-coli. The results showed no detectable pathogens present within the filtered water (effluent). The water was then incubated. Again, no pathogens propagated and none were detectable when inspected under an electron microscope.