I live in N E Ohio and have seen numerous old house, barn, and church frames with "down" braces extending from posts to sills (not quite sure "down braces" is the correct term, it's what I've always called them).

Some questions for those familiar with this bracing technique:

1) Specific to any particular ethnic group and/or region?

2) Were these absolutely structurally necessary, or just an insurance measure employed by the carpenter to stiffen or triangulate the bents/bays and to be used in conjunction with the "standard" braces (post to tie and/or plate)?

3) Do these "down braces" generally function in compression as standard knee braces do?

4) Do any of you traditional framers employ these in your work?

Thanks for any feedback.