Samuel Markham and Family circa 1926

Rosanna Thomas Markham, Samuel Markham and infant Jessie Mae

Samuel was the 13th child of sixteen, last son born to Monroe Markham and Mary Byrd. He was born 04 Oct 1898 in Caseyville, a rural community in Lincoln County, Mississippi. He married Rosanna Thomas, daughter of Alex Thomas and Roxanne Smith, in 1922.

Hallie Buie shared a tidbit about Samuel in a 1936 letter she wrote to her sister Prential. Hallie and Prential were the daughters of Prentiss Buie who would have been the family's last slave owner if the Civil War had been won by the South.

I have found out that is all right for Samuel Markham to come down here, he has a corn field rented from Estelle and comes to get their corn to have ground. I just don’t know what they could do without him. I hope you will not mention this--he has a mail box and if we need him for anything we drop him a card and he comes right over. He lives on the Adams place. His house is located about a mile from this one. He charges ten cents for bringing things from Mr. Smith’s and twenty cents from Lamar’s, charges for the time and not the size of the package, large or small the same price, he certainly is nice about it. He just happened to come along the day the box came. he said, "Dat box aint hebby."

Samuel and Rosanna's families have been in the Caseyville area since the early 1830s. Rosanna's grandfather, George Thomas, served with the 58th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry, during the War.

Two additional children were born to this union, Velma "China" and Samuel, Jr.

Samuel was a farmer who eventually owned his own land, which remains in his family.

Rosanna died in 1966, Samuel in 1981, and Jessie Mae in 2006.

How does Samuel Markham connect to my family tree?
Samuel Markham was a brother to my maternal grandmother, Alice Markham Marshall.

Photograph Courtesy of Rance Brown and Anita Christopher

Ann and Henry They Survived

Henry's Daughter, Narcissus Israel Wooley
1866-1938

In May 1837, four months old Henry Israel and his 16 year old mother Ann, arrived on the Buie Plantation in Caseyville, Lincoln County, MS. At the time of their arrival, David Buie, their owner was about 20 years old and unmarried. As an eligible bachelor, David was probably preparing for his future household and bride by purchasing a pair of slaves who would deliver years of service.

The Buie family arrived in the Natchez District between 1805-1810 from North Carolina. They left the Upper South where land was becoming scarce with the divisions of estates and their families began to look westward to the new Mississippi Territory where the land was available.

Reverend C. W. Grafton wrote of the early life around the area. "Everything was young, bright, fresh, and full of life and vigor. The country abounded in game and the streams in fish. The lowlands and sometimes the hills were covered with crane brakes. Farming was an easy matter at that day. Burn away the brakes and plant your corn and you would be sure of an harvest."

I have often wondered how slaves coped after they were sold. I remember reading that some of them felt being sold from place to place as a death. Those they left behind were dead to them.

Henry and Ann were members of a busy household. They helped a young couple realize their American dream. David Buie married Jane McLaurin in 1840, purchased acres of land and by 1850, he owned 30 slaves. The number of slaves held steady in 1860, 31 slaves. Henry, his mother Ann and her husband Jack Buie would be included in that number. Ann had several more children, some did not survive childhood.

Henry and Ann probably worked the fields and where ever needed.

The family did not sit passively when an opportunity to fight for freedom came. Henry's brother Perry Buie served with Company K, 58th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry. His mother described Perry as 5 feet 4 inches tall, heavy built, copper or "ginger cake" complexion, eyes black and rather large. Perry enlisted 27 Aug 1863, died 02 Oct 1863 of measles contracted in the service at Natchez.

George Thomas, Henry's sister Rhoda Buie's husband, enlisted September 18, 1864, in Company F, 58th Regiment Infantry. George at the age of 27 heard that General Grant had taken Vicksburg, left Natchez, traveled over sixty miles hiding in cane brakes and fields to reach Vicksburg and join the Yankees. George enlisted under the alias of George Washington and was discharged for disability May 10, 1865. After discharge, he returned to Caseyville, married Rhoda Buie and father at least 10 children.

Henry married Martha Ann Henderson, they eventually owned their own farm. Martha was likely a second wife. The 1870 census has Henry recorded at 31 years of age with wife Martha, 25 years of age. The children in the household were: Lily, 17; Phoebe, 10; Sarah Jane, 5; Narcissus, 4; and Martin, 2. They are living and working on the farm of David Buie. No one in the house can read. All the children are gone, in 1880, except Carey who was 12. Henry and Martha have only a nephew in the household with them in 1900. Henry is not found in 1910 and by 1920, Martha is a widow living in the household of her daughter Narcissus Wooley.

Ann died sometime in late 1896 or early 1897 as she was dropped from the pension rolls June 1897 for failure to claim pension. Henry died between 1900-1920.

Ann and Henry survived slavery, lived several decades in freedom. They have many descendants, some of which are my cousins.

Henry's children married:
Sarah Jane Israel married Joe Buie
Narcissus Israel married Melvin Wooley
Martin Israel married Mary Thompson
Carey Israel married Celia Culver
Lily and Phoebe's spouses are unknown.

Franklin Scott of the 58th Regiment United States Colored Infantry

Franklin Scott's Headstone
Natchez National Cemetery

Franklin Scott served with the 58th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry. He left the Daniel Buie plantation, located in Caseyville, Copiah County, MS, shortly after Grierson Raiders came through in April 1863. Franklin enlisted August 31, 1863.

Left on the plantation were Franklin's wife, Sallie Coleman, and his toddling son James Pearly and an infant. Several men from the area left their familiar places headed to Natchez, the Union occupied town. Traveling by foot would take two days if there were no mishaps.

The family was appraised on the 1862 inventory list of Daniel Buie.

woman SALLY - Sallie Coleman Scott
and child valued at $1300
boy JAMES P. valued at $200 - James Pearlie Scott
boy FRANK valued at $1450 - Franklin Scott

According to his federal pension record, Franklin was born in 1838 in Bedford County, Virginia. He was sold to Daniel Buie when he was about 16 years old. He married another slave of Daniel Buie, Sallie Coleman, daughter of Cupit Coleman and Lucinda.

In April 1866, Franklin was discharged from service in Vicksburg. He gathered his family and moved to Washington, a community near Natchez. They purchased land and the family grew. The family included sons James Pearlie, Frank, Phillip, and Robert; daughters Lucinda and Mariah. Franklin and Sallie separated in 1882 but never divorced. Sallie died in 1915 and Franklin died in 1926. They both died in Adams County, Mississippi.

James Scott at the headstone of his 2nd great grandfather.

How does Franklin Scott connect to my family tree?
Franklin's son James Pearley Scott married Catherine Matilda Markham.
Catherine is the sister of my great grandfather Monroe Markham.

A Body of Cavalrymen Coming Up the Road

Photographs Courtesy of James Scott

Amanuensis Monday Found Love in the Slave Pen

Slave Pen
Alexandria, Virginia
Image courtesy of Library of Congress

This is a bitter sweet testimony from Jane Harris Burnett who found love in a slave trader's pen in Richmond, Virginia. She and her future husband Robert Burnett likely were frighten, sold from family, not knowing where they were going and concerned about the new owner. John Torrey purchased them in Natchez, maybe at the Forks of the Road Slave Market. I wonder if Torrey was looking for a couple or if one or both asked him to buy them both.

Deposition A of Jane Burnett
Federal Pension Case of Jane Burnett (Widow of soldier Robert Burnett)
March 23rd 1898
Union Church, Jefferson County, Miss
I and Robert Burnett were bought by Mr John Torrey a number of years before the war from the traders at Natchez, Miss; I had become acquainted with Robert at Richmond, Va., where the traders first had us. My name in Virginia had been Harris, but on Mr Torrey's plantation I went by the name of my new owner. I took up with Robert Burnett at the slave trader's yard at Richmond, Va., and lived with him as his wife until his death in April four or five years ago; I cannot give you the exact date of his death. We were never divorced. Robert Burnett died of dropsy of the heart, so Dr McLean who treated him in his last sickness told me. When the Yankees had taken Natchez, Robert Burnett left for that place and enlisted in Co. C, 58 USCT, in which he served three years. After his discharged he returned home.

General Affidavit of John Torrey
In the year of 1852 February I bought them in Natchez, Miss and they lived as man and wife until 1863 when he went in the war and after he returned in 1866.

Source: Federal Pension Records of Robert Burnett
Private Robert Burnett of 58th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry
Digging up the Past at a Richmond Jail

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

Amanuensis Monday Name Confusion

George Washington aka George Thomas
1837-1912

George Washington aka George Thomas had several difficulties getting approval to receive a pension for service during the Civil War. One of his problems was he had a common name, George Washington. Seven men had the exact same name who served with the same regiment as this George, 58th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry. A civilian who worked for the 58th, USCI, also had the same name. Here is one of George's depositions concerning the name confusion.

Deposition A in Case of George Washington
January 15 1890
Brookhaven, Lincoln County, Miss

I was born in Copiah Co, Miss near the Jefferson County line. My owner was Bill Brown. He was the only owner I ever had. I lived on his place till I went to Natchez & then to Vicksburg. I joined the army at Vicksburg & was discharged at Natchez.

I have heard you explain about that Geo Washington who claims on my service. I don't know him that man & never saw or heard of him. He is a fraud. I have no picture of myself. I had no nickname in service at all. I was clean shaved all the way through the army. I was never in the army but about 8 or 9 months in all. I was never in but two fights in service, one about 12 miles from Woodville & the other was on Bingham's Branch out from Natchez. At the last fight a man named of our Co named Sampson Martin was killed.

Yes, I use to know of a Gilbert Buoy in Jefferson Co, Miss. He is dead. He lived near Union Church & 8 miles from my owner. Yes, he owned a slave named Geo Washington born & raised on the place. He was younger than me. I knew that other Geo Washington before the war. His mistress was my master's sister. No, he was never in my Co at all. He ran away from Gilbert Buoy a long time after I enlisted. He came to Natchez & was put to driving a commissary wagon in the wagon train. I well knew him and saw him often. I am positive he was never an enlisted man at all. He never did a thing but drive the post team. He never came back to Union Church after the war & I never have seen or heard of him since I was discharged.

Yes, he had a wife. Her name was Susie. He married her before the war. Then when he was driving wagon at Natchez he had a woman named Mary.

The father of that other Geo Washington was named Peter Baker. The Geo Washington that lived at Buoy's before the war & that wagoned(sp) at Natchez was not the same man that was in Capt Picks Co 58th Regt as Geo Washington

George his x mark Washington

George Washington served with Company F, 58th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry. He enlisted 08 Sept 1864 in Vicksburg, discharged 10 May 1865 in Natchez.

George's father was named Thomas Buie. After the War, he decided to use the name George Thomas. He married Rhoda Buie and had several children near Caseyville, MS. Many of George's descendants married into my Markham family.

Tombstone Tuesday - Edmond Woods

In Memory of Edmon Woods
Bornd 1835
Died 1905
Farewell My Wife & Children
All From You A Father Christ Doth Call
Cool Spring MB Church Cemetery
McCall, Franklin County, MS

Edmond Woods served with the 58th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry in Natchez, Mississippi

Photograph Courtesy of Willie L Robinson

Elizabeth Bryant's Sons James and Daniel McDaniel, Union Soldiers

James and Amanda McDaniel
Photograph Courtesy of James Scott
Elizabeth and her children lived on the farm of father and son, John and James McDaniel, near Meadville, Franklin County, Mississippi. They lived between two Union occupied towns, Natchez and Vicksburg. Once Elizabeth's family learned of the occupation of Natchez and they had the opportunity, several of them fled to Natchez.

Elizabeth was from Virginia, born about 1813, during the presidency of James Madison to parents whose names are unknown. When she was a young woman in her late teens, she was sold from the people, places and things familiar to her, purchased by John McDaniel about 1834. She was admired and respected by the people in her community. She worked the fields, helped with domestic chores and acquired the skills of midwifery.

Elizabeth's husband was on the farm of William Coleman, within walking distance, across county lines in Jefferson County. Coleman and McDaniel were long time friends as were their slaves. Neither family were large slave owning families. They slowly acquired slaves through births and an occasional purchase. By the Civil War, each family had enough slaves to put them in the planter's class, they had over 20 slaves. In 1860, the Coleman family owned 22 slaves, and John McDaniel owned 38 slaves. John's son, James McDaniel owned 22 slaves.

After the death of his first wife, John Bryant became the husband of Elizabeth, he was a decade older than Elizabeth. He was sickly with a hernia but he was a productive worker, good with the hoe. The couple was married by Elizabeth's owner John McDaniel, as he required a wedding ceremony for his slaves, and they celebrated their union with a wedding supper among the slaves.

John and Elizabeth had seven children, all born into slavery. Two of their sons would serve in the Union army. Both would enlist using the surname Mack, a name they knew their family would recognize.

JAMES "MACK" MCDANIEL also known as "Jim Mack," was the first of eight children born to John and Elizabeth. James would chose to use the McDaniel surname, passing the surname to his descendants. He was born about 1840 on John McDaniel's plantation. James' wife AMANDA was the slave of James McDaniel. Amanda was purchased in Natchez, MS, about 1856 or 1858. James and Amanda were married on the McDaniel Plantation according to Amanda, "three years before the War commenced."

James left the plantation in 1864 going to Natchez, MS, to join the United States Colored Troops, leaving behind his wife and two children. He enlisted with Company E, 58th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry on September 05, 1864, the same day his brother Daniel enlisted. James was about 24 years old at enlistment. He was described as 5 feet 8 and a half inches tall. He was a stout, robust man with black hair and eyes. As with most of the men who served during the Civil War, James suffered measles, pneumonia, bronchitis, acute diarrhea, constipation, and fevers. He was discharged at Vicksburg, Warren County, MS, on April 30, 1866.

After returning home to his family, James and family moved to Malcolm Buie's place in 1866 where Amanda, James' wife, was the Buie's cook. James worked for Dr. Gray and he would visit Amanda on Sundays. Eventually, James purchased their own 120 acres of land near Union Church, Jefferson County.

James was diagnosed with kidney disease known as Brights Disease by Dr. J. J. McLean in 1868 or 1869, and Dr. Clark diagnosed him with diabetes in 1867 or 1868. James remained healthy looking and survived kidney disease much longer than Dr. McLean expected. James suffered with backaches, bladder and urination problems. Amanda would saturate his back with liniment and coal oil. He worked hard to provide for his family, hiring others to do the hard labor he could not do. At the time of his death, James was in the process of buying additional land. Special Examiner F. T. Dennis of the United States Pension Board copied this statement from Amanda's bible; "James McDaniel died May 02, 1887 aged 49 yrs, 10 months - sick 2 weeks, in bed 2 days." James died of Brights Disease.

James and Amanda had a total of 12 children, 10 children survived to adulthood. They were: Margaret b. 1863 , Ellen b. February 1865, Mary b. February 1868/1870, William b. December 1868, twins Reed and Luberta b. May 15, 1871, John b. May 05, 1872, Preston April 15, 1877, Cameron b. May 01, 1878, and Melvin b. September 01, 1880. Elizabeth Bryant, James' mother, was the midwife at the birth of each child.

Amanda and her eligible children received a pension for James' services.

James and Amanda's descendants are all over the United States and continue to use the surname McDaniel.

DANIEL "MACK" MCDANIEL was born about 1845 on John McDaniel's plantation. He lived in the same house with his mother. Daniel ran away from the McDaniel's plantation in 1864. He enlisted September 05, 1864, in Natchez, MS, with Company E, 58th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry.

He was described as 5 feet 7 inches tall with black hair and eyes and dark copper complexion. He was about 19 years of age when he enlisted.

Daniel sent money, a watch, and shoes home to help support his family. Too embarrassed to see John McDaniel when he came to Natchez for business, Daniel would send the gifts by his brother-in-law Israel Etta to give to McDaniel, and McDaniel would give the gifts to Elizabeth.

Daniel died February 06, 1865, of bronchitis and pneumonia following measles at a Natchez hospital. He did not leave a wife nor children. His mother applied for dependent mother pension which was approved.

Sources:
Civil War Federal Pension Records of Daniel Mack
Civil War Federal Pension Records of James Mack
Slave Schedule - 1860 Franklin County, MS
Slave Schedule - 1860 Jefferson County, MS

Links
Tombstone Tuesday - Elizabeth Bryant
Elizabeth Bryant's Will
Meeting and Researching with Art Thomas

Sidney's Five Sons - United States Colored Troops

Lamar Smith and wife Annie Clark
Lamar is a grandson of Jacob Smith
Jacob Smith and Sidney Mitchell sacrificed sons to the Civil War. Sidney Mitchell gave birth to eight children, five of whom were sons. All five of their sons served with the United States Colored Troops. Sidney and her children were slaves on the John Mitchell Plantation in Union Church, Jefferson County, Mississippi. Sidney's husband, Jacob Smith, lived on the Dougald McMillan Plantation, a neighboring plantation, near Caseyville, Copiah County, Mississippi.

Susie Mae Smith Scott
Granddaughter of Jacob Smith
Jacob's descendants married into my maternal family.
Jacob's granddaughter Susie Mae Smith married my mother's 1st cousin once removed Walter Scott.
Jacob's great grandson Robert Smith married my mother's 2nd cousin Magdalene Scott.

Listed below are the five sons of Jacob and Sidney who served with the Colored Troops.

1. William - born about 1836 was a member of Union Church Presbyterian Church. He was received and baptized 20 November 1853. William served with Company G, 58th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry. William was married, wife's name unknown. He died during service.

2. Anderson - born about 1838 "ran away to the Yankees," enlisted with Company G, 58th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry in Natchez, Mississippi, on 17 September 1863. He died 24 January 1864, at the Post Hospital in Natchez of small pox and dysentery. He left two wives, Hannah and Betsy, for the Pension Board to decide which woman was the legal wife. Both women had one surviving son with Anderson and both remarried. Betsy's son Jacob was declared Anderson's son and entitled to his father's pension.

3. Bluford - born about 1840 enlisted 25 August 1863, at Natchez with Company G, 58th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry. He was the lone survivor of the five brothers. He was discharged 30 April 1866, at Vicksburg. He married Harriet and the couple had several children. Bluford made claims for a pension based on injury to hip and back. Claims of 1893, 1894, 1896, 1898, were rejected on the grounds that he was not disabled for manual labor in a pensionable degree. The poverty stricken Bluford died about 1898 in Natchez.

4. Willis - born about 1842 enlisted 30 August 1863, at Natchez with Company A, 6th Regiment, United States Colored Heavy Artillery. He died 11 July 1864, of a stomach hemorrhage in the Regimental Hospital in Natchez.

5. Daniel - born about 1843 served with Company G, 58th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry. He died in the army.

Sources:
Dougald McMillan's Slaves
John Mitchell's 1852 Deed of Gift
Anderson Mitchell Federal Military Pension Records
Bluford Mitchell Federal Military Pension Records

Photographs Courtesy of James E. Scott