Nashville, TN Confederate Currency- Henry M. Cist/ Lewis Jacob Cist

 This blog post is continuing to explore a possible connection with how early American currency was used to conduct transactional affairs both within its borders and internationally.

Are there red ink signatures that are signed on Confederate currency? If there are red ink signatures with the next generation of currency could this be a link to a hidden meaning and/or a secret story? This currency does not have magical powers. It does show that there is more historical research to conduct. 

Why do I say this? As oral tradition goes in our family, I have noticed that there is a separation of information between the Henry M. Cist and Lewis Jacob Cist generation and the next generation of Henry's children. Edith Cist, a daughter of Henry M. Cist, married Charles Louis LaBoiteaux both families were from College Hill, Ohio. 

Edith Cist did not transfer oral tradition about these confederate notes to future generation. Theses notes were compiled together, but the story behind the notes continues. Very little information about the Cist brothers involvement in Nashville, TN has been passed down in the family. The photos of Cist brothers are from a Nashville photo shop that shows there were there during the Civil War.

One way to learn more about what I am trying to convey is to look at the signatures of these notes. For example, John Snyder on the 20 dollar note is the from the same Snyder family from the Union Chaplin Snyder who provided spiritual guidance and healing for soldiers during the Civil War. A later Snyder generation, the well known mid-western artist William McKee Snyder who painted forest paintings showed us were meetings took place, Individuals and families have there own stories to tell about how they used this forest space that William McKee Snyder painted for his audience. Some forest spaces were used to have secret meeting places during the Underground Railroad, other forest spaces were uses for a gentleman to spend time courting a lovely Antebellum lady. others just wanted to experience the different full colors of Red Maples, or a bright yellow from birch leaves, or a person could leave instructions, money for others to pick up a later date. There is freedom with your interpretation based on individual and family experiences during this time period.

Furthermore, Henry M. Cist was the attorney for Donn Piatt. When Henry Cist and Lewis Jacob Cist came back for Nashville, TN they went to Donn Piatt's home in West Liberty, Ohio. There is a connection between lawyer client privilege between (Cist and Piatt) and why certain historical information was omitted.

This next sentence is purely a theory perceptive. Why did Henry M. Cist go to Rome, Italy with his wife. Cist died in Rome, Italy. What else is in Rome? The Vatican, other spiritual and historical places.

Continue to cross reference names, dates, and family stories to learn more about why the Cist brothers pasted down this framed confederate currency display. Why are these notes arraigned this way. I now I ask myself many questions, but it is a way to get individuals and organizations talking about Cist family matters.

Charles Cist Continental Currency- York-town, 11th April 1778

 

This example of Charles Cist currency dated 11th April 1778 is to show that this currency note was signed in red ink. Many of the other currency notes  signed by other printers. were signed in black ink. There is a story to unfold here. Also, Benjamin Franklin invented a counterfeit measure by having leaves pressed together. This way each leaf can be judged as genuine and not fake.

Furthermore, my reacher has shown that this Cist note could be the only one left out of the notes that Cist had to redeem during the American Revolution. Cist was treasurer of the Continental Congress for a period of time. 

During the American Revolutionary War, Continental Currencies were issued by the Continental Congress to finance the war effort. These currencies were paper bills, which made them relatively easy to counterfeit. To combat this problem, the Continental Congress implemented several measures to authenticate Continental Currencies:

1. Signatures:

The most common form of authentication was the use of signatures from authorized individuals. Each bill would feature the signatures of one or more delegates of the Continental Congress, making it more difficult for counterfeiters to reproduce.

2. Watermarks:

Some Continental Currencies featured watermarks, which are subtle designs or patterns embedded in the paper that can only be seen when held up to the light. These watermarks were difficult for counterfeiters to replicate accurately.

3. Engravings:

Continental Currencies also used intricate engravings and designs to deter counterfeiting. Engraving required specialized skills and equipment, making it challenging for counterfeiters to produce convincing replicas.

4. Denomination-specific elements:

Each denomination of Continental Currency often had unique elements, such as different illustrations, mottos, or serial numbers, that helped to differentiate them and prevent counterfeiting.

During the American Revolutionary War, Continental Currencies were sometimes signed in different colored inks, including black and red. These color variations were often used to denote different denominations or issues of the currency. For example, black ink might have been used for lower denominations, while red ink was reserved for higher denominations.

In colonial times, inks were typically made from natural pigments derived from plants, animals, and minerals. Black ink was commonly made from carbon black, which is produced by charring organic materials such as wood, bones, or tar. To create red ink, colonial Americans would have used pigments like iron oxide (rust), crushed cochineal insects, or plant-based dyes like brazilwood or madder root. These pigments were ground into a fine powder and mixed with a binder, often gum arabic or egg whites, to create ink.

Pawn Star Episode- 250 Year Old Medical Book

 250 year old medical book

This is an example of a medical book that Charles Cist who graduated from the University of Halle with a medical degree would have used. I do not know if this is his own copy or not. 

Pewabic Writing assists viewers with a better understanding of who Charles Cist was by putting era related videos together to show more about his life and times.

This video is from Pawn Stars- 250 year old medical book.

Piatt Castle- Don Piatt Art benefactor.

Eliza Kirby, the Kirby family from College Hill had a family farm next to the Charles Cist (editor) family farm in College Hill. This shows a connection between the Piatts and Cists family. It is documented that Henry M. Cist and Donn Piatt fought at the Battle of Chickamauga, but Henry M. Cist was Donn Piatts lawyer during and after the Civil War.

George H. Thomas, The Rock of Chickamauga. Both Donn Piatt and Henry M. Cist were in this Civil War  group. These photos are at Piatt Castles in West Liberty, Ohio.

 

This moquette is a smaller version of a larger piece that is at the Cincinnati Art Museum. Piatts, Allens, Cists, LaBoiteauxs, and other families contributed to the art scene in the mid-west during the 1800's. I am sharing this to assist others to add to the growing list of individuals and families that helped grow the cultural areas from the mid-west.

Gilbert LaBoiteaux

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gq4C1yOU6Ag

The Youtube video is a demonstration on how an 1830 meal was prepared and cooked for visitors such as Lewis Jacob Cist and Henry M. Cist and Charles Cist (editor) would have experienced traveling in the wilderness.

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