Husband and Wife are both my Cousin

 I knew he was a paternal cousin but I did not know his wife was also my cousin until I saw her obituary.

Goldie's mother, Ida Henderson, was the granddaughter of Viola Buie Henderson. Viola was a sister to my 2nd great grandfather James Markham. Goldie was a maternal cousin. 

Henry's mother, Bettie Demyers, was the great granddaughter of Lawrence Demyers. Lawrence and my 2nd great grandmother Alice Demyers Overton Usher were siblings. Betty was a paternal cousin.

Unwritten Law is Negro's Defense

Early Morning Tragedy on Union St. - Irate Husband Kills Darktown Lothario

Bob or Robert Barnes, 23-year-old negro, was shot and killed by Leslie Guyzer, negro, over 35, when Guyzer, a fireman at the local power plant, discovered him in Guyzer's home on Union Street, early this morning. After killing Barnes, Guyzer sent his son to tell Chief of Police J. H. Case that he had "killed a fellow out there, and wanted to give up."

(unreadable)., when the boy delivered the message. Chief Case found the body lying partly on the street and partly in the yard where Barnes is said to have run after being shot in a room of the dwelling and leaping through a window. The weapon used was a shotgun and a single charge of buckshot was fired. Guyzer's wife had disappeared and only Guyzer and the two boys were there when the officer arrived.

Guyzer's family troubles had been reported by him to both the chief and Sheriff Grice within the past 30 days. At one time his wife had left him and gone to Hattiesburg but there had been by reconciliation and Guyzer had expected never to see Barnes on his premises again.

Chief Case turned the prisoner over to Sheriff Grice.

Guyzer was lodged in jail and will probably have a preliminary hearing before Justice J. E. Barrim Monday.

What is a Lothario? According to the Urban Dictionary, in the play "The Fair Penitent" (1703), by Nicholas Rowe, Lothario is the character that seduces and betrays Calista. In today's language, a Lothario would be a player, ladies' man or womanizer.

Robert was the son of Robert Barnes, Sr., and Carrie Markham, born in 1905, in Lincoln County, Mississippi. He married Idella Howell in 1922, in Lincoln County, Mississippi. He died from a gunshot wound 5 Jun 1925.

Robert Barnes Compensated $30 from Illinois Central Railroad

How is Robert connected to my family?
Robert's mother Carrie Markham was the daughter of Newton Markham and Jane McCoy.
Newton and my great-grandfather, Monroe Markham, were brothers.

Obituary of Mrs. Martina Barton 1889-1981

Services for Mrs. Martina Barton, 92, retired teacher in the Brookhaven and Lincoln County public schools, will be held Friday at 2:30 p.m. from Bethel AME Church. Rev. Stanley J. Carter will officiate at the services. A wake will be observed at the church Thursday from 7 p.m. Williams Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Barton died Oct. 10 in King's Daughters Hospital. She was a native of New Orleans and had been a long time resident of Brookhaven. Mrs. Barton attended the public schools in New Orleans, New Orleans University, and Strait College and later attended Jackson State University. She had retired from the teaching profession 22 years ago. She was a member of Bethel AME Church and at the time of her death was an honorary member of the board of Stewards.

Mrs. Barton was preceded in death by her husband, Sam Lee Barton, and four children. She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Mary Dickey, Brookhaven and Mrs. Evelyn Barnes, New Orleans; a son, Ernest Barton, New Orleans; three grandchildren, Mrs. Rita D. Lewis, Brookhaven, Dr. Audette Patternson, New Orleans, Mrs. Rose M. Brooks, Chicago. She is also survived by six great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren, a host of nieces and nephews and other relatives.

Samuel Barton married Martina Jones 27 Jun 1903, in Lincoln County, Mississippi. The couple's children per the census records were: Bertran, Sam, Jr., Amile, Lionel, Evelyn, Ernest, and Mary. Martina Jones Barton was born 25 Oct 1889 in Louisiana, died 10 Oct 1981. Sam died in 1960. Both were buried in the Carver Heights Cemetery in Brookhaven, Mississippi.

Sam nor Martina are related to me. They were members of the same church, Bethel AME Church, my Markham family members attended.

Martina is pictured in a photo here - The Ladies of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church

Sources:
Daily Leader Oct 14 1981
Photograph from Find A Grave

The Ladies of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church

First Row: Ms. Pinkie Wilson, Mrs. Gladys Winston, Mrs. Addie Mae Cameron Tillman, Mrs. Edna Pinkney, Mrs. Durr (my paternal cousin's wife), Mrs. Frances Stanton, and Mrs. Beatrice Markham Johnson (my maternal grand aunt).

Second Row: Mrs. Lisann Durr Roundtree (my paternal cousin), Mrs. Beulah Ann Williams, Mrs. Lula Mae Thomas, Mrs. Annie Mae Manson, Mrs. Martina Barton, Mrs. Willie Mae Thomas, and Mrs. Emma Jane Winston.

Third Row: Ms. Cora Bell Benson and Mrs. Edith Lee Washington

"This is a photo of the Women's Missionary Society of Bethel AME Church. The photo was taken for a Souvenir Journal to host the 1968 Annual Conference of the Mississippi Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church." Dexter Holloway

The church is located in Brookhaven, Mississippi.

Photo Courtsey of Dexter Holloway

Sunday Obituary Allie Mae Markham Moncrief 1911-2016

Mrs. Allie Mae Markham Moncrief was born September 29, 1911, to the late Octavius and Mamie Culver Markham in Caseyville, MS. She was the third of seven children. She first professed her faith in Christ as a young child by joining the Zion Chapel A.M.E. Church in Caseyville, MS.

Later in her young life she moved from Caseyville to Brookhaven, MS in order to pursue a better education and she did so by finally graduating from Alexander High School in 1939. After graduating, she spent a brief period of time in New Orleans, LA. She then relocated to Youngstown, Ohio where she met and married the late John H. Moncrief in 1955. During her time in Youngstown, Ohio her chosen profession was that of an insurance salesperson. She went about performing her duties very enthusiastically, and she had a deep passion for doing her job well. After John retired from the steel mill in the late 1970's, they moved to his hometown of Montgomery, Alabama. After John's death in the early 1980's, Allie Mae returned to Brookhaven, MS. She then joined St. Paul M.B. Church where she served faithfully until her health began to decline. She has always said, "God has been present in my life, all of my life!!".

Mrs. Allie Mae departed this life one day before her 105th birthday at Whispering Pines Hospice Home in Ridgeland, MS.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings: Eva J. Markham, Larry David Markham, the twins Louvella and Louvenia Markham, Earlie Markham, and Marilda L. Diggs. She leaves to cherish her precious and fond memories one nephew, James Earl Diggs, Sr. and his wife, Fannie, of Brookhaven, MS; one great nephew James Earl Diggs, II and his wife, Markita, Of Prince George, VA; one great niece, Kishara M. Diggs of Pearl, MS; two great, great nieces, Alexis and Kyah, one great, great nephew, Alexander, along with many other relatives and friends.

Other Posts about Cousin Allie
Allie Mae's Birth
First Day of School - 1916
Allie's Education - Getting the Sheepskin
His Banner Over Me Was Love
A Living Treasure
Happy 100th Birthday
Happy 103rd Birthday

How does Allie connect to my family tree?
Allie's father, Octavis Markham, and my grandmother Alice Markham Marshall were siblings.

Denounce Lynching Chamber of Commerce Goes on Record as Opposed to Mob Violence

An argument over a debt of six dollars between James Bearden and Caby Brynes quickly escalated, ending in the deaths of two brothers, James and Stanley Bearden who were lynched by mob violence on 29 Jun 1928, in Brookhaven, Mississippi.

Caby Byrnes was born`22 Jul 1897, son of William Reese Byrne and Laura Criscoe, all Mississippians. He and his family remained in Brookhaven after the lynchings. Caby was the proprietor of an auto repair shop, his wife Mary Ford Byrne was the bookkeeper for the business. The couple had at least two children, Virginia and Caby, Jr. The senior Caby died 16 Sep 1955 and is buried in the Rosehill Cemetery, Brookhaven, MS.

The following paragraph was published in the second printing of the local newspaper since the lynching of the brothers. There is nothing like green power, money, to make folk repentant.

W. D. Davis, the President (Brookhaven Chamber of Commerce) referred to the terrible affair of June 29, when the law was trampled under foot. He spoke of the affair with feeling, both of the deed itself and its consequences on the actors themselves, on society and on the good name of the county for law and order.

Sources:
The 1930 and 1940 Federal Censuses for Lincoln County, MS
Findagrave - Rosehill Cemetery
The Lincoln County Times
Brookhaven, Mississippi
Thursday July 12, 1928
Page 6

Photograph Courtesy of
Lincoln-Lawrence-Franklin Regional Library
100 S. Jackson St
Brookhaven, MS 39601
601-833-3369

Mob Violence Results in Death of Two Negroes Friday Night

Brookhaven, Mississippi
Two negroes, Stanley and James Bearden, brothers were taken from the Lincoln county jail early Friday night and lynched.

There had been threats of the impending action throughout the afternoon and the sheriff, failing in his efforts to secure a guard of militia, had under him only a handful of deputies who were unable to offer any effective resistance to the large and well armed mob. No shots were fired by the officers defending the jail, only pleas and some physical resistance being offered. Starting at about dusk, and despite the pleading of several of the city's most respected and worthy citizens, among others, Rev. P. D. Hardin, W. D. Davis, Hon. J. A. Naul and Hon. T. Brady, Jr., the mob worked about an hour on the door of the jail, to which the sheriff refused to turn over the keys, and finally came out with two negroes, one of whom they soon discovered was not wanted. They then returned and managed to find the other, James Bearden, who was hiding in the rafters of the jail.

Both negroes were then taken to the Old Brook Bridge and James, in the sight of his brother, was strung to a small nearby tree and shot to death. Stanley was then taken back to Brookhaven and dragged through the streets of the city and through the negro quarters by a truck which was followed by a possession of other automobiles. Leaving the city the party proceeded several miles north and hung what was left of the mutilated body of Stanley Bearden to another tree.

Parts of the large crowd of men, women and children who had gathered at the courthouse to see the lynching followed the cars either to Old Brook or to the point north of town, and viewed the indescribably revolting spectacles to be found at those places.

A short while afterward the bodies were taken in charge by Hartman's undertaking establishment and brought back to Brookhaven, preceding which an inquest was held. The corners jury, composed of B. B. Boyt, E. P. Martin, J. C. Martin, George Stanley, R. C. Douglass and Tom Crawford, pronounced James Bearden dead from gunshot wounds inflicted by parties unknown and Stanley Bearden dead from being dragged behind an auto driven by persons unknown.

James Bearden, whose wife died about a week before his lynching, is survived by one child and Stanley is survived by a wife and two children.

The trouble which lead to the lynching commenced late Friday morning when Caby Byrnes insisted on payment of a $6 bill which James Bearden owed him. Mr Byrnes had tackled Bearden for the bill earlier in the day and Bearden had promised to see about it right away. After awhile he returned followed in a few moments by his brother Stanley. In discussing the bill further it is understood that Bearden became extremely imprudent whereupon Mr. Byrnes hit him in the face with his fist.

In the meantime, Byrnes, who happened to be passing near, noticed that his brother was in danger and rushing to the scene hit James Bearden with the flat side of a shovel just after the negro struck Caby Byrnes on the head with a piece of iron, knocking him to the ground. Stanley Bearden then got into the fight and opened fire on Claude Byrnes, one bullet striking him in the shoulder and another piercing one leg breaking the bone and entering the other.

Deputy Sheriff Charles Brister who reached the scene just then, arrested James Bearden without much trouble and took a shot at Stanley Bearden as he made escape through the back of the repair shop in front of which the fight occurred. Archie Smith and Alfred Day, at their work in a barber shop near by, came out during the shooting to assist the Byrnes's in their fight with the negroes with the result that Stanley Bearden fired a shot at both of them, luckily with bad aim.

After making his escape through the back of the shop a crowd chased him up the railroad several blocks until he turned and ran to his home near the Cotton Oil Mill. During the chase several persons started to head the fleeing negro off but were dissuaded by the sight of the automatic pistol he was flourishing and firing.

After the crowd arrived at Bearden's house volley after volley of bullets were exchanged between the officers and the fugitive until the latter weak from wounds was brought from the house, gun still in hand. He was rushed to the county jail where Dr. Frizell, after examination, stated that despite five wounds he was not desperately hurt.

How do the brothers connect to my family tree?
The brothers are not related to me but their family does connect to my family tree.
N Z Robinson's first wife was Essie Bearden, a sister to the brothers.
N Z Robinson's second wife was Ada Elnora Markham.
Ada's father was John Markham, a brother to my grandmother, Alice Markham Marshall.

Source:
Article transcribed from The Lincoln County Times, Brookhaven, Mississippi
Thursday, July 5, 1928, Page 1
Microfilm Number 30703
Microfilm found at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History

Actual Newspaper Article

Photograph Courtesy of
Lincoln-Lawrence-Franklin Regional Library
100 S. Jackson St
Brookhaven, MS 39601
601-833-3369

Bearden Brothers Deaths by Mob Violence

The horror of the brothers' deaths first came to my attention from this blog post, A Brookhaven, Mississippi, Lynching, where the author shares his father's memories of the lynching. I had not heard of the lynching but was curious to learn more about the two brothers.

They were the sons of John Bearden and Doshia/Dosie/Docie McGowan. Both brothers were born and raised in Lincoln County, Mississippi. The family roots were also in Lawrence and Pike counties, MS.

A detailed newspaper article of the brothers' death will follow this post.

James Bearden

James was born, 10 Feb 1903. He is not seen in the census records with his parents under the name James. I suspect he may be known as Pearlie by family. He could not read or write, worked on the farm his father owned and for Samuel Abrams who owned a grocery store. In 1910, he was 8 years of age; 1920, 18 years. He married Eliza Robins, daughter of Will Robins, in 1923. She died, 18 Jun 1928, a few days prior to her husband's death of tuberculosis of the lungs. The couple had one child.

James owed Caby Byrnes a $6 bill, which is what sparked that day's event. James died, in front of his brother Stanley, from gun shots wounds, supposedly by parties unknown.

Stanley Bearden

Stanley was born 03 Dec 1903. Like his brother, he could not read or write and worked on his father's farm and for Samuel Abrams who owned a grocery store. Per the 1910 census records, he was listed as 7 years of age; in the 1920, 16 years. He married Jinnie Mae Banks in 1924. The couple had at least 2 children. Stanley, Jr., was born premature, died the same day he was born in 1926. The couple's daughter Willa Mae was born in 1925, she reached adulthood, died in 1992.

James and Stanley returned to discuss the debt with Byrnes. James was "extremely imprudent" to Byrnes who then hit James in the face with his fist. Fights between the Bearden and Byrnes brothers resulted in Stanley being dragged on the ground at the rear end of a car to his death, again supposedly by parties unknown.

What happen to the family after the brothers' deaths.

The family left Lincoln County after the deaths. Per the 1930 census records, the brothers' father John Bearden was deceased. Their mother Docia was living in LaSalle Parish, Louisiana, with her sons Ogey and Estus. Docia was living with son Estus, in 1940, Hattiesburg, Forrest County, Mississippi. Docie was alive in 1954, living in Hattiesburg.

Marriages of John and Docia Bearden's Children

Ogey J Bearden married Josie May Smith - 20 Mar 1920
Essie Bearden married N Z Robinson - 03 Apr 1922
Minnie Bearden married C F Adams - 24 Feb 1923
James Bearden married Eliza Robins - 07 Mar 1923
Stanley Bearden married Jiinnie Banks - 10 Jul 1924
Estus Bearden married Anna Banks - 14 Nov 1925
Lentille Bearden married Henry Gearing - 26 Aug 1926

How do the brothers connect to my family tree?
The brothers are not related to me but their family does connect to my family tree.
N Z Robinson's first wife was Essie Bearden, a sister to the brothers.
N Z Robinson's second wife was Ada Elnora Markham.
Ada's father was John Markham, a brother to my grandmother, Alice Markham Marshall.

Eudora Markham Coleman's Record of Funeral

Every document we find on our ancestors can provide additional information about their lives and deaths. Grandaunt Eudora "Dora" Coleman died, 27 Sep 1948, at King Daughters Hospital in Brookhaven, MS. She was married to Henry Coleman who was also the informant.

Dora had burial insurance which paid for a third of the funeral cost. She received a complete funeral at a cost of $335. The family paid $210. She received a casket with an engraved plate but because the services were not itemized, I am not sure which of the other items listed were included.

The funeral was held, 03 Oct 1948, on a Sunday afternoon, 2pm, at the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church. Cousin Reverend Frank James Durr was the clergyman.

How does Eudora connect to my family tree?
Eudora Markham Coleman and my maternal grandmother, Alice Markham Marshall, were sisters.

St James Missionary Baptist Church Brookhaven, MS

The St James MB Church is the oldest African American church in Brookhaven. It was organized by Rev George Black of Vicksburg, MS, in 1866.

The pastors of the church were: Reverends George Black, two brothers Sim A Jordan and Jesse J Jordan, W L Magee, William L Creshon, P T Thadison, Clarence Coleman (Sister Jeanette Markham Coleman), Percy Dixon, and currently Larry Jointer.

SOURCES
Research Notes of Cynthia Thadison Williams

1st Church Photograph Courtesy of
Lincoln-Lawrence-Franklin Regional Library
100 South Jackson Street
Brookhaven, MS 39601
601-833-3369

2nd Photograph Courtesy of Cynthia Thadison Williams
Direct Descendant of Pastor P T Thadison

St James Missionary Baptist Church

Della Green Missionary Baptist Church Brookhaven, MS

In 2011, I blogged about the little country church when I didn't know the name of the church. Cynthia Thadison Williams provided the name.

Church Founder, Bennie (Benjamin) Green 1878-1958
Husband of Louella Crump 1878-1966

Church Photograph Courtesy of
Lincoln-Lawrence-Franklin Regional Library
100 South Jackson Street
Brookhaven, MS 39601
601-833-3369

Bennie Green Photograph Courtesy of Sarah Kelley
Direct Descendant

Work on Negro School to Start Soon 1936

The Alexander High School Football - Big 8 Champions 1939 of Brookhaven, Mississippi, standing in front of a building, which might be the new one referred to in the newspaper article below. The start of the new building was in 1936.

The next big project up for the WPA will be the negro school building, which will cost over $35,000 according to present estimates. It will be a modern, brick veneer building and one that should be a credit to the community. Work should be underway in the next two or three weeks.

The present school is badly in need of replacing and there are few who do not rejoice with our colored friends in the fact that this dilapidated building is to be replaced with an attractive, efficiently planned one.

Cousins
1st row - George Evans - trainer, Earl Dickson, J.C. Blackwell, Willie McDaniel, Lamar Lenoir, John Dow, Mack Smith - trainer

2nd row - Leroy Wilson, John Collins, Joseph Levi, Leander Wells, Willie McGee, David Crump, James Crump

3rd row - Robert Wesley, Edward Spencer, Frank Cook, David Smith, Murray Crushon, Roscoe Brown, Jack Evans, Charles Hunter, Robert Green

4th row - Coach Robert Wolf, H.E. Brown - trainer, James Albert Davis, Robert Johnson, Sterling Culver, Gerald Smith, J. May, E.W. Wesley, Woodrow Coleman, Robert Green, Tommy Hill - trainer, and Head Coach C.N. Buchanan, and J.W. McDaniel, J. E. Smith

Photograph Courtesy of Lincoln-Lawrence-Franklin Regional Library
100 South Jackson Street
Brookhaven, MS 39601
601-833-3369

Lincoln County Times
Jan 11 1936
Brookhaven, MS

Negro Woman Beaten to Death Officers Believe June 1936

Cleo James, 25, negress, who was found in a serious condition on railroad tracks just north of town several days before died yesterday in the King's Daughters hospital from head wounds. At first negress claimed she had been struck by a train but Chief-of-Police Smith learned that she later told friends she had been violently beaten by George Humphreys, a negro with whom she had been going and was thrown on the tracks by him following the beating.

Humphreys is in jail here charged with murder.

Cleo's death certificate lists the cause of death , struck by locomotive at Brookhaven, Miss.

How does Cleo James connect to my family tree?
Cleo's accused murderer is on my tree. George Humphrey's descendant married into my Markham family. There are four George Humphreys on my tree, not sure which one is the accused.

Newspaper article from:
Lincoln County Times
Thursday June 18 1936
Brookhaven, Mississippi
Microfilm Number: 30718
Microfilm found at Mississippi Department of Archives and History

Wordless Wednesday Addie Markham Lenoir 1888-?

Daughter of Grant Markham and Mary Lyons
Wife of Oscar Lenoir
Mother of Archie Johnson and Lamar Lenoir

How is Addie connected to my family tree?
Addie's father, Grant Markham, and my great grandfather Monroe Markham were brothers.

Photograph Courtesy of
Lincoln-Lawrence-Franklin Regional Library
100 S. Jackson St
Brookhaven, MS 39601
601-833-3369

Swift Justice Negroes Lynched in Mississippi 1874

Rape is a horrible crime. All perpetrators should be fully prosecuted under the law. Justice in this case was swift, without a trial, and no jury of peers, which is what I wish they had.

Negroes Lynched in Mississippi
Brookhaven, Miss, Aug 22 - The three negroes, Dick Cooper, Anthony Grant and Silas Johnson, who, at 3 o'clock on Sunday morning last, forcibly entered the residence of Mrs. Burnley and violated her person, were taken from the jail at 4 o'clock this evening and hung by the citizens, about 1,000 of who were present. Johnson was captured on Sunday. The other two were captured at Trenton, brought here this morning and lodged in jail. They confessed their guilt on the gallows.
Newspapers
Alton Telegraph, 27 August 1874, Page 2

Maria Burnley was the wife of Edwin Burnley, who owned Somerset Plantation. Edwin's daughters, Edwina Burnley and Bertha Burnley Ricketts, wrote the memoir describing their family and their childhood at Somerset plantation, near Hazlehurst, Copiah County, MS. Their father, Edwin Burnley (b. 1798), moved to Mississippi from Virginia in 1832 and married Maria Louisa Baxter (1820-1907) of Persippany, N.J., in 1852. The couple married in 1852, together they had five daughters: Jean, Hardenia, Fannie, Bertha, and Edwina.

Newspaper Article Detailing the Crime

How is Somerset connected to my family?
Virgina Williams/Taylor was a slave of Somerset. She married John T Demyers, my 2nd great grandmother Alice Demyers Overton Usher's brother. The Burnley family also owned an Overton family whose connection to my 2nd great grandfather, Dave Brown Overton, is unclear.

School Boy Died after Making Fire in Stove with Coal Oil

Sunday School Class with a stove in the background to the right

Was this the first time he made a fire in the church stove, or one of many? Deacons and older teenage boys of congregations usually had the job of making a fire in the stove so the congregation could arrive to a warm church.

On Sunday morning, February 14, 1943, John Walter Hilliard made a fire using coal oil in an African Methodist Episcopal (AME) church in Brookhaven, Lincoln County, MS.. The fire burned the right side of his body, head, back and face. He developed pneumonia and died less than two weeks later on February 23, 1943.

John was born in May 1932, to John and Carrie Hix Hilliard in Lincoln County, MS. He was 10 years old at the time of his death.

I couldn't find any census information on the family. Found was one line from a 1929 Jackson, MS, city directory for Rev John Hilliard and his wife Carrie. The older John's occupation was pastor of an AME church. It is feasible John Walter was a member of the family business.

Research did not connect this family to Hilliard cousins of Lincoln and Franklin Counties, MS.

John Walter Hilliard's Death Certificate

Photograph Courtesy of
Lincoln-Lawrence-Franklin Regional Library
100 S. Jackson St
Brookhaven, MS 39601
601-833-3369

Not the Intention of Government to Give Land to Negroes ~ 1865

The Freedmen's Bureau had to squash the rumors of free land to former slaves and insure whites a Negro insurrection was not planned. Former slave owners feared an insurrection Christmas day 1865, to forcibly take the land.

Former slaves, in their new freedom, were encouraged by the Freedmen's Bureau to negotiate labor contract terms favorable to their interests.

Below is the Bureau's report from the area where my people lived.

Office Act'g Asst. Commissioner Bureau Freedmen
For Southern District of Mississippi
Natchez, Miss., Nov. 20, 1865

Captain Z. B. Chatfield
Sub Commissioner - Brookhaven

Captain"
On account of the general feeling of uneasiness that has taken possession of the minds of most of the white people of this District in regard to a negro insurrection and on account of the movement which appears to be contemplated among the negroes of leaving their present places of employment and seeking work on the banks of the river, I think that it would be advisable that you call a meeting of all the negroes on some particular day in each of the counties of your Sub District and make a speech to them, explaining that it is not the intention of the govt that the land shall be divided among them: that the govt does not intend to support any of them that they must depend on their own exertions for a living and that it is their best plan to contract for work for next year speedily as possible

Explain to them that the contracts are subject to your approval; that you will not approve any that you do not think are to their interests, and that they can more readily obtain work where they now are, and upon more advantageous terms than they can by going to any other place

In short, endeavor to prevent a movement of the negroes of this district from the interior to the river.

At the same time let negroes and whites understand that you do not favor the forming of any contracts with parties who have failed to comply with contracts the past year.

These are mere general heads. The main thing is to have a meeting and explain to them such things as you may think they have wrong ideas about.

After each meeting, make a report of it and its probable results.

Very Respectfully
Your Obt. Servant
George D Reynolds
Major & A. A. Comir. NFB
Sothern Dist, Miss

Sources:
Mississippi, Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records, 1865-1872," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1951-45832-31035-86?cc=2333768&wc=9L3S-92Q:1078469102,1078469101 : accessed 22 January 2015), Brookhaven (sub assistant commissioner) > Roll 11, Unregistered letters received, Jun 1865-Nov 1868 > image 18 of 214; citing NARA microfilm publication M1907 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

The Black Experience in Natchez 1720-1880 by Ronald L.F. Davis

Image Courtsey of Library of Congress
http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/92514996/

You Have One Week to Leave 1868

Reading accounts in the Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records, for the area where my people lived, has revealed a pattern of firing folks close to harvest. If there was a valid reason for the firing or if the individual left without permission, they would not be paid per the rules established by the Freedmen's Bureau. Once the bulk of the work had been completed and the crop was near harvest, a thieving land owner could easily come up with a reason to fire his workers.

Esquire Thurston's case was different, the landowner he worked for didn't dismiss him. The "angels," who may had permission of the land owner, demanded Thurston leave. Thurston had worked from January to August. He probably wouldn't share in the harvest if he left, which is why he took his case to the Freedmen's Bureau.

In all cases of dismissal or voluntarily quitting plantations, the laborer forfeits all unpaid wages, and his family or dependents will be dismissed at the discretion of the manager.
Freedmen's Bureau Labor Contract Rules

The Ku Klux Klan was established around 1866. Their growth fed off white southerners resentment that centered on the Reconstruction programs imposed on the South by a Republican Congress.

Here is how Thurston's case was recorded in the Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records.
Brookhaven, Miss
Aug 27 1868

Esquire Thurston col'd states & shows contract. He is at work for Thos W East on his (East's) farm in Copiah Co...8 miles from here between the Liberty & Gallaton Road & that on last Thursday night - a party of 5 calling themselves Angels came to his house (10 or 11 o'clock) & told him to leave. He could have one week to get away.

He is working for 1/2 the crop.

Esquire Thurston is not connected to my family.

Source:
Mississippi, Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records, 1865-1872," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1971-45819-4984-53?cc=2333768&wc=9L33-MNR:1078469102,1078469104 : accessed 11 January 2015), Brookhaven (subassistant commissioner) > Roll 12, Register of contracts, Jun 1865-Oct 1867 > image 75 of 101; citing NARA microfilm publication M1907, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.

Title: Visit of the Ku-Klux / drawn by Frank Bellew.
Creator(s): Bellew, Frank, 1828-1888, artist
Date Created/Published: 1872.
Medium: 1 print : wood engraving.
Summary: African American woman cooking, man seated alongside, and three children, with man from Ku Klux Klan aiming rifle in doorway.
Reproduction Number: LC-USZ62-127756 (b&w film copy neg.)
Rights Advisory: No known restrictions on publication.
Call Number: Illus. in AP2.H32 1872 (Case Y) [P&P]
Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA

Sunday Obituary Priscilla Culver Humphrey 1895-1987

Mrs. Priscilla Culver Humphrey, daughter of the late Mr. Sol and Francis Prenell Culver was born February 24, 1895 in Franklin County.

She confessed Christianity at an early age and united with the Galilee A. M. E. Church, and served faithfully. She later moved her membership to Triumph Church where she served faithfully. She was married to the late Mr. John Humphrey.

She departed this life July 4 1987 in King Daughter's Hospital, Brookhaven, MS. She leaves to mourn her passing a loving daughter, Sally Robinson, one son Rufus Humphrey, both of Brookhaven, MS. One stepson, Luther Humphrey of Homestead Florida. One son preceded her in death. Thirteen grandchildren, thirty-nine great grandchildren, one sister Sara Effern, three daughter-in-laws Cloratee Humphrey, Ada Humphrey, Rose M. Humphrey, two brother-in-law Willie Humphrey, Phillip Wesley, two sister-in-law Allie Mae Humphries and Alice Wesley. A host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Obituary Courtesy Robin Diane Hunter and Velma Markham Hunter
Photograph Courtesy of Nathaniel Thomas
Members of Priscilla's family, the Culver family, married into my Markham family.

Eli Hilson's Murderer Plead Guilty

Three murders, beatings, terrorist acts were committed upon African Americans by the Whitecaps in Lincoln County, MS. Over a thousand people were near or on the Lincoln County courthouse grounds when Judge James Wilkinson announced the sentences of the men convicted of murder in the Whitecaps cases. As each man was sentenced, the crowd shuddered. Oscar Franklin plead guilty to the murder of Eli Hilson, and was sentenced to life in prison in December 1904, about a year after the murder.

Eli's wife Hannah struggle to raise their ten children and maintain the farm. She lost the property through a mortgage foreclosure in 1905. The 74 acres were sold to S. P. Oliver for $439. Oliver was a county supervisor.

Sources:
The Evening News, San Jose, California, December 21, 1904
Research Notes of Carolyn Betts, a Collateral Descendant of Eli Hilson
Photograph Courtesy of Lincoln County Public Library

Amanuensis Monday - Eli Hilson Assassinated by Whitecaps
Whitecapping - Losing the Land