Mary Markham Lively 1900-1985

Mary was a member of the Order of Eastern Star in Chicago. Here she is at one of the organization's events.

How does Mary connect to my family?
Mary was the daughter of James Markham and Anna Culver.
James and my grandmother, Alice Markham Marshall, were siblings.

The photograph is courtesy of Marianne Culver.

Monroe's Children James Markham - Child 1

My great grandparents Monroe and Mary Byrd Markham had a total of 17 children, who were born between 1872 thru 1903. Here is a sketch of the life of their first child, James Markham

James was born 12 Nov 1872, in Caseyville, Lincoln County, Mississippi. His parents had been free for almost eight years. Reconstruction was nearing an end and Ulysses S. Grant was President. His parents were living on the Prentiss Buie's place, the same land where his father had been enslaved.

Both of the grandfathers were named James, the likely reason for the first born son's name.

He was known as a well to do Negro. He was a farmer and preacher who owned his own land and was self-sufficient. He was described as a tall, dark, slender man.

James was first documented on the 1880 census, first seen as an eight-year-old in the household of his parents Monroe, Mary, and three siblings. He was in school and is named on the 1885 and 1892 educable children lists.

Anna Culver Markham

He married Anna/Annie Culver in 1895 when he was 17 years of age. She was the daughter of Daniel W. Culver and Margaret Ross. Together the couple had 2 sons and 5 daughters. Census records indicate that James, his wife, and children were all literate.

He was last seen in the 1930 census, 50 years old, the only man in a household of women. Anna was 54 years old, and daughters Bessie, Elizabeth, Theodosia, Alberta and granddaughter Earline were in the home. James' son Asirah was deceased. The oldest daughter Mary was living in Chicago with her brother James Monroe. Both had good jobs, James was a Pullman Porter and Mary was a beauty culturist.

James died in 1936 of pernicious anemia. This type of anemia occurs when the body can’t absorb enough vitamin B-12, which is needed to make healthy red blood cells. His wife Anna remained in Caseyville.

By 1940, The widowed Anna was the head of the household which included her daughter Elizabeth, and brother Memphis Humphreys. All the other children were married, living in or near Chicago. Elizabeth would go to be with her siblings after her mother's death in 1952.

James and Anna's children were:

James Monroe Markham, 1897-1985
He married Ida May Thomas and Mildred Weathersby. He lived in Chicago and was a Pullman Porter. He had two children, Earline and Felix James.

Mary 1900-1985
She married Wallace Young and Jay Livey. Mary was a beautician. She did not have children.

Asirah 1905-1923
He died tragically of an accidental self inflicted gunshot wound. He did not have children.

Bessie 1906-1996
Bessie married Earnest L Holloway. Their children were Edith Mae, Annie Pearl and Mary L.

Elizabeth 1908-1989
She did not marry nor had children.

Theodosia 1912-1960
She married Tolson Culver. Their children were Samuel McThay, James Oliver, Patricia Ann, John Douglas, and David M.

Alberta Markham 1913-2006
She married Joseph McCrory. Their children were Mary, Odia, Otis, Osizy, Robert, Olivia, and Lois.

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.

Robert Barnes Compensated $30 from Illinois Central Railroad

Did Robert Barnes scrape his elbow, lose an eye, suffered broken bones when he was injured by an Illinois Central Railcar. The chancery court records do not give details to Robert's injuries. His mother was required to petition the court on the behalf of her nine-years-old minor son to receive the compensation.

Robert was born about 1905 in Lincoln County, Mississippi, to Robert Barnes, Sr., and Carrie Markham. He was nine years old when he was awarded his $30 settlement. Six-years-old Robert is seen in the 1900 census household with his mother, maternal aunts and cousins. He was seen again in 1920 with his mother, siblings, and cousins, the last census Robert would be found. He was a delivery boy and was not literate.

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.

Miss Bobby Socks

This photograph was made for Robert Dixon June 8, 1946, somewhere in Lincoln County, Mississippi, or a surrounding county. The lady is unknown to me.

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