Inspected an 1880 shotgun, barge board framing, pier and beam construction. There was a wire cable stretched between the two side sills, in about the middle of the house, and clamped on both ends. It was inserted through a drilled hole in each sill.
I inspect a lot of old houses and have never seen anything like this before. Any ideas?
Photos of house and cable: All original architectural details of the house have been long removed.
I have seen that here in earthquake country to help hold an older house together. I would not have expected it there in your area, but on second thought, why not with hurricane and tornado winds?