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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: talesofthesevenseas on August 24, 2013, 08:31:42 PM

Title: Amazing Chance Meeting Results in a Special Piece of History
Post by: talesofthesevenseas on August 24, 2013, 08:31:42 PM
While on vacation in NY I'm having dinner in a restaurant about 12 miles from my Bradbury ancestor's hometown. The guy at the next table strikes up a conversation and brings up their iron foundry. I tell him my family connection and the next thing I know he says "Can you wait here for a few minutes, there is something I need to give you." He comes back with the plate from an extremely rare machine, manufactured by my great-great-great-great-grandfather Andrew Bradbury. I burst into tears and hugged him in the middle of the restaurant!

Pretty awesome huh? And yes, this is the same family associated with the Jenny Lind and the bible that I found.

Title: Re: Amazing Chance Meeting Results in a Special Piece of History
Post by: talesofthesevenseas on August 24, 2013, 08:43:44 PM
The machine it came from was a board shaper that made tongue and groove boards. It was so old that it was not assembled with screws, but with forged iron pins. It was still working, until a tree fell on it, destroying it and a planer that had also been made by the same foundry. This guy felt so badly that it had to be scrapped that he saved the name plate. And he said he was never quite sure why he had done it, until he met me.  :)
Title: Re: Amazing Chance Meeting Results in a Special Piece of History
Post by: mart on August 24, 2013, 08:59:50 PM
You`re Kidding ??,, That is amazing !!  Chance meeting ?? Maybe not !!!  I think all things happen for a reason,,we may not know it at the time but someone guided you to that restaurant  !!!  Or the gentleman that gave it to you !!  How likely is that to happen in a lifetime ??
Title: Re: Amazing Chance Meeting Results in a Special Piece of History
Post by: talesofthesevenseas on August 25, 2013, 12:36:30 AM
Yeah, the odds of something like this happening are virtually impossible, but here it is and it really happened. I still can hardly believe it.
Title: Re: Amazing Chance Meeting Results in a Special Piece of History
Post by: sapphire on August 25, 2013, 05:02:26 AM
tales, I got chills reading that!

I truly believe you were destined to be the chronicler of your family's history. Some are interested in their roots, some pursue their roots.......while you breathe life into and keep alive the people and history of those who laid your path. Like the Field of Dreams........"if you build it, they will come"........it's as though your dedication has created a living energy that draws in the scattered pieces you lovingly embrace, to recreate and preserve your family's past (and future) history.
Title: Re: Amazing Chance Meeting Results in a Special Piece of History
Post by: mariok54 on August 25, 2013, 05:16:55 AM
Fate? Serendipity? Whatever, it's a wonderful story!
Title: Re: Amazing Chance Meeting Results in a Special Piece of History
Post by: Ma on August 25, 2013, 05:45:37 AM
A great story and you were meant to meet.Sorry to hijack your thread but I read it and have a spine chilling story that Happened to me today.I found an old rusty tin in a friends garage.My husband nearly threw it out.I bought it home and found all this memorabilia from world war 1 about a guy named Art Kirton.
This arvo I get a phone call from a guy picking up a rocking chair i sold on ebay.He said hi this is Art I am 10 minutes away.I said wow I am typing on the computer about some silk from ww1 from a guy named Art.He said how bazaar! OMG I just typed bazaar Too describing the note with the silk saying he bought in Cairo at the local bazaar!So I squealed and said I'll explain when you get here.Needless to say he was in awe when I showed him the tin with Art's silks from the bazaar.I think Art was approving of me saving and preserving his Family history.
Was this fate too?
Title: Re: Amazing Chance Meeting Results in a Special Piece of History
Post by: mart on August 25, 2013, 07:45:13 AM
Was this "Art" the son ??  Another amazing story !!
Title: Re: Amazing Chance Meeting Results in a Special Piece of History
Post by: ghopper1924 on August 25, 2013, 07:59:45 AM
Remarkable tales!
Title: Re: Amazing Chance Meeting Results in a Special Piece of History
Post by: fancypants on August 25, 2013, 11:30:21 AM
Happy little happenstance (AKA 'meant-to-be') talesof !

Cool story from our tiny little planet !
Title: Re: Amazing Chance Meeting Results in a Special Piece of History
Post by: frogpatch on August 25, 2013, 06:52:43 PM
Un -f------- believable. Awesome story and a great treasure! Good for you!!
Title: Re: Amazing Chance Meeting Results in a Special Piece of History
Post by: Ipcress on August 30, 2013, 01:44:53 AM
Yeah, that's astonishing !

It's a crazy, beautiful world.
Title: Re: Amazing Chance Meeting Results in a Special Piece of History
Post by: KC on August 30, 2013, 10:31:32 AM
Wow.....Wow....Wow!  Just love hearing the story. Chills up my spine!!!!
Title: Re: Amazing Chance Meeting Results in a Special Piece of History
Post by: Petesy on August 30, 2013, 05:33:49 PM
Awsome story a lottery win in itself!