Wordless Wednesday The Nathaniel Thomas Family circa 1960

Nathaniel, Jr., Annie Mae Scott Thomas, Lorraine, Martina, Zettie, Nathaniel Thomas, Sr., and Calvin Thomas, cousin to the family

Photograph courtesy of Nathaniel Thomas, Jr.
The children and I share the same 2nd great grandfather, James Markham.

Amanuensis Monday I Bought her in Natchez

James and Amanda McDaniel
Photograph Courtesy of James Scott

Amanda McDaniel was married to James McDaniel also known as Jim Mack. James McDaniel served with the 58th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry during the Civil War. James died of brights disease 02 May 1887; Amanda applied for her widow's pension.

James H. McDaniel, Amanda's former owner, testified that the couple was married and that he performed the ceremony.

Dec 25 1889
Veto, Franklin County, MS

Deposition of James H. McDaniel in the case of Amanda Mack/McDaniel, widow of James McDaniel.

My age is 75 yrs. I am a planter and live near Veto, Miss, which is my post office. I knew "Jim Mack" a negro who belonged to my father John McDaniel. I knew him from his birth and he ran away about 1864 and I understood he enlisted in the U S Army. I also knew Amanda Mack who belonged to me. I bought her in Natchez about 1856 or 58. She had no name but Amanda, A year or so after I bought her here I performed the ceremony of marriage between her and Jim Mack. I always insisted on my slaves being married in that way; I was a Justice of the Peace at the time. They were regarded as man and wife from that time until he ran away, and I know from observation and general report that they lived together as man and wife after the war up to his death. I did not see him for a good while after the war. Whenever I saw him he looked well and hearty. He was a big stout man to all appearance. I don't know that he was sick or made any complaint. I do not know anything as to time or cause of his death. I heard of his death at the time it occurred.

I made no record of the marriage of Amanda and Jim, but I well remember that I performed the ceremony and that they lived as man and wife afterward. Neither of them were ever previously married so far as I know.

I have no interest in this claim. I have heard the above statement read and it is all right.

J. H. McDaniel

Dressed for Frosty Weather circa 1942

Mildred Adams was eleven years old when this photo was taken. She is dressed in her plaid coat, hat and boots, ready for the cold weather. Mildred was born 06 Dec 1931 in Lincoln County, MS, to Harvey Adams, Sr., and Mary Jane Cook. Mildred married a maternal cousin Willie P Coleman, son of Walter Philip Coleman, Sr., and Violet Edwards.

Mildred's Obituary
Photograph courtesy of Edward B Adams.

The Banks Sisters One Dozen

L to R: Arcola Banks Green, Viola Banks Hilliard, Leola Banks Tillman, Beatrice Banks Thomas, Olivia Banks Young, and Joy Banks Hayes

There were twelve Bank sisters: Mattie Mae, Arcola, Viola, Leola, Beatrice, Mary, Odessa, Olivia, twins Archie Mae and Jannie Mae, Annie Lee, and Joy, born between 1908-1934. They were the daughters of Archie and Jannie Scott Banks of Lincoln County, MS.

I wonder if the sisters were labeled by people outside of the family and family members. Was one known as the smart one, the skinny one, the pretty one, the fat one, the fast one, the ugly one, the quite one, the silly one, the sweet one, the bookish one, the whatever one?

The Banks sisters are maternal cousins.
Photograph Courtesy of Nathaniel Thomas.

Wordless Wednesday Hands on Hips

Natchez, Mississippi
Photograph taken between 1890-1905
Stewart Photograph Collection
Courtesy of Mississippi Department of Archives and History's Photostream

Tombstone Tuesday Phillip and Sally Demyers

Phillip was the son of Peach and Ardella Chatman Demyers
Burial at Mt Olive MB Church Cemetery
Copiah County, near Hazlehurst, Mississippi

Phillip is a paternal cousin.

Wordless Wednesday Slaves Leaving the Plow

Slaves leaving the plow behind to join Union Army.
Courtesy of Library of Congress