Life Imitates a 1960s Sitcom

Tampa, Florida, issued a promissory note to storekeeper Thomas Pugh Kennedy on June 21, 1861, in the amount of $299.58.

Kennedy's great-granddaughter says the city never made good on its loan. Now, Joan Kennedy Biddle and her family are suing to collect the payment plus 8 percent annual interest.

The total bill: $22.7-million.

Biddle wouldn't give specifics on why she decided to sue now, using as evidence a piece of paper that has been handed down as an heirloom for generations.

"This thing has been in the family since the date on the note, and it has never been repaid," said Biddle, 77. "My daddy told me, and I certainly believe him." [Link]

The relevant case law comes from an episode of The Andy Griffith Show.

Andy is forced to evict Frank Myers from his home only to later discover that he holds a century-old bond that is originally believed to be worth $349,119.27. Since the Mayberry treasury holds just over $10,000, the mayor and town council scramble to keep Frank happy by renovating his run-down home. Later, the bond is discovered to be worthless because it was paid for with Confederate currency.

Genealogue Challenge #113

Character actor Allan Melvin died Thursday in Los Angeles. In keeping with a recurring theme of these challenges, he made eight appearances on The Andy Griffith Show in eight different roles.

Where were his paternal grandparents married?

Genealogue Challenge #98

No one has taken up my last challenge yet. I'll try not to take it personally.

I remember Sterling Holloway from his guest roles on The Andy Griffith Show and Gilligan's Island, but the younger set will know him as the voice of Disney's Winnie the Pooh.

What was the full name of his maternal grandmother's undertaker?

Genealogue Challenge #78

I'm 97.3% sure I've figured out this one.

The character of Floyd Lawson on The Andy Griffith Show was first played (in just one episode) by actor Walter Baldwin.

Who were his parents?

Genealogue Challenge #62

Which of Molly (Simon) Theobald's grandchildren had a memorable role on The Andy Griffith Show?

Genealogue Challenge #56

Have you guessed yet that I'm a fan of The Andy Griffith Show? This challenge concerns the actor who played the habitually drunk Otis Campbell.

What were the names of his sisters' husbands?

Genealogue Challenge #54

Frances Bavier is best known for her role as Aunt Bee on The Andy Griffith Show.

When did her mother die and in what city was she buried?

The Barneys Will Always Be With Us

Marilyn Small is deacon of the Barney Prairie Christian Church in Friendsville, Illinois. She's also a descendant of the eponymous Barney.

The 67-year-old woman says the land was donated by William Barney, who farmed this area in the late 1700s and early 1800s.

"He's my ancestor. That makes me a part-Barney."

Apologizing in advance for being sacrilegious, I tell Marilyn my first thought was that the church was somehow linked to Don Knotts' character on "The Andy Griffith Show."

She's not surprised and says I'm not the first person to make the link. Then she produces a Virginia-based publication called the "Barney Society" that trumpets the achievements of folks from all over the country with that first name. [Link]