Monroe's ChildrenEudora Markham Coleman - Child 4 1877 - 1948

Henry and Eudora

Finally, Monroe and his wife Mary were blessed with a daughter after three boys. She was born in the winter of January 1877, in the Caseyville village of Lincoln County. Eudora was not seen on the 1880 census but her birth year is consistent in the census and other records. The educable children's lists for 1885 and 1892 has Eudora as 8 years and 14 years, respectfully.

Eudora married Henry Coleman on 16 Dec 1896, in Lincoln County, MS. They were successful farmers on the land they purchased in Copiah County, MS, and were inspirational community leaders. After taking care of her family, Dora would sit in the evenings teaching her husband how to read. Henry's goal was to be able to read God's word. He would become successful in the ministry becoming a pastor at the family's church, Galilee AME Church in Caseyville, MS.

Dora was called Sister Dora by several of her younger siblings. Dora and Henry had 15 children, coming close to the 17 children Dora's mother gave birth to. Dora and her mother would both give birth to children in the same years. Dora died on 27 Sep 1948 in Brookhaven, MS.

Eudora and Henry's Children were:

1)Smylie Arthur (1897-1991) married Joanna Benson.
Children born to this union were: Ada, Ludora, daniel, Dorothy, Dorcas, Jurlean, Roosevelt, Smylie Jr, Elmer, and Willie.

2)Nellie Mae (1899-1978) married Mr Williams

3)Clara Jane (1900-1995) married Samuel Oatis and David Tyler. No children were born to these unions.

4)Emmitt Guster (1901-1976) married Estella Williams.
Their children were Ruby, Hazel,, Booker T, Ethel, Ollie, James, and Ora.

5)Grover Cleveland (1903-1965) married Amanda Brooks and Ollie Justice Bell.
Grover and Amanda's children were: Johnnie Mae, Earnestine, and Margaret.

6)James Edward (1904-1981) married Laura Brooks.

7)Henry Webb (1906-1992) married Mattie Lee Baker and Ethel Myers.
Henry and Mattie's children were: Allie, Edith, Dewitt, Brunetta, Clara, Ina, and Leroy.
Henry and Ethel's child was Ethel.

8)Anderson (1908-?)

9)Albert B 1909-?)

10)Dorcus Ethel(1910-2000) married Ulysses Williams.
Their children were Theodora, Leatha, and Jeanette.

11)Gladys (1912-1981) married Johnny Hughes, Jr.

12)Lewis Larry (1915-1976)

13)Ira Bryant (1916-1956)

14)Stillborn Female (1918-1918)

15)Woodrow Wilson (1919-2010) married Odessa Tucker.
Their children were: Maggie, Woodrow Jr, Degina, Dorothy, Walter, Mattie, Ann, and Delois.

Friday Furnace Findings Frances Louise Furnace's Obituary

 

Frances Louise Furnace's obituary has been in my collection of obituaries for awhile. I don't know how she connects to my family tree but I am sure she does. My Furnace family has deep roots in Copiah County, Mississippi, at least back to the 1840s.

Frances Louise Furnace, 53, of Hazlehurst, died Wednesday, May 5, 1999.

Services were held Wednesday, May 12, from New Life Evangelical Christian Fellowship Church with Rev. Arnold Stanton officiating.

Born Jan 31, 1946, to the late Woodrow Furnace and Bessie Furnace. She was a member of New Life Church.

Survivors include sons, Gerry of Atlanta, GA, and Tommy; daughters: Dana Gates, Fransharon, Rebecca, Natassia, Felicia, Latresa, and Patrina, all of Hazlehurst; brothers: Woodrow, Jr of Terry, Charles of Jackson, and Homer of Hazlehurst; sisters: Mae Pearl Dillard, and Varol Lynn Sanders of Birmingham, AL; and three grandchildren.   

 Frances was born in 1946 in Copiah County, Mississippi

 

Mack and Minnie Sanders

Mack and Minnie married Christmas day in 1940. He enlisted in the army in November 1943, and was released Feb 1946. They had an even dozen of children, 6 girls and 6 boys, plus they raised three grandchildren as their own.

Mack Neese Sanders was born in 1918, the son of McNeese Sanders and Alice Overton. Minnie was born in 1925, the daughter of William Washington and Rosia Miller. All were from Copiah County, Mississippi,

Minnie died in 1984 and Mack died in 1996. They were both buried in the Greater New Zion Baptist Church Cemetery.

Mack's mother, Alice Overton Sanders, and my grandmother Gertrude Overton Durr were sisters.

Howard Divinity's Death Certificate

The article below was found in a local newspaper reporting the death of Howard Divinity of Copiah County, Mississippi.

Howard Divinity Stood by his Principals

Howard Divinity is dead at the age of 108. He was the oldest person in Copiah County, residing near Hazlehurst.

Howard had attained wide renown over the country. He attended every confederate reunion for many years, and once visited the White House in Washington, dining with the servants.

He served during the Civil war as bodyguard for officers.

Howard doubtless is sincerely mourned by his white friends of Copiah county. A long life of faithful devotion to sentiments and principals is just as touching in a servant as it is admirable in a master.

Clarion-Ledger

Jackson, Mississippi

20 Mar 1934 - Page 5

Howard's death certificate is void of the information family historians value, the names and birthplaces of his parents. At the time of his death, 08 March 1934, Howard was listed as 110 years of age. He was supposedly a widower although his wife Susan died four years later in 1938. Census records suggest he was born in the mid 1840s.

1870 - Howard, 27 years old, born about 1843.

1880 - Howard, 30 years old, born about 1850.

1900 - Howard, 55 years old, born about 1845.

1910 - Howard, 78 years old, born about 1832

1920 - Howard, 75 years old, born about 1845

1930 - Howard, 107 years old, born about 1823

https://betweenthegateposts.blogspot.com/2013/01/howard-divinity-of-copiah-county-ms.html

Howard Divinity's Slave Narrative

Alice's Notification of Birth Registration

Alice Durr Dent
1924-2000

The Notification of Birth Registration form was issued by the United States Census Bureau. The U.S. Census Bureau designed this form in 1924, at the request of various state vital statistics offices, to promote the accurate registration of births in the United States. The notification was completed and sent to parents of newborns when the state office of vital records received information on the birth and made up a birth registration record. If parents found errors in the information shown on the form, they were asked to correct them and return the form so the state's record could be corrected accordingly. The notification was used until the late 1940s and then discontinued once states were keeping satisfactory birth records. The U.S. Census Bureau does not maintain these records. Certified copies of birth records must be obtained from the vital statistics office where the event occurred.
United States Census Bureau - Open Government

How does Alice connect to my family tree?
Alice was my dad's sister

DNA Connection Friday Furnace Findings

Researching a paternal great grandmother, Jane Furnace born about 1860, to discover her parentage and additional information about her life.

For awhile, I have been looking at a Furnace family I believe are my 2nd great grandmother's family. Jane Furnace is named in the 1870 census of Copiah County, Mississippi, living in a household of Furnace folk who I believe to be Jane's siblings. Next door to them is a couple, Alexander and Charlotte, I believe are Jane's parents or grandparents. On the same page is a Nathan Furnace and his family. The 1870 census does not list relationships and Jane does not appear in any other census records. DNA tests have proven I share DNA with a descendant of Nathan's.

Ancestry DNA test declared I am an extremely high confidence with IJFurnace. We are estimated to be between 4th and 6th cousins. The paper trail has our relationship as 3rd cousins if Jane is a daughter of Alexander Furnace. We would share 2nd great grandparent(s), Alexander and or Charlotte Furnace. IJFurnace is a descendant of Nathan Furnace.

Opportunity To Make A Good Man

Ben Washington found himself in a precarious situation in the fall of 1908. The Chancery Court of Copiah County, Mississippi, labeled him a bastard; his mother died in 1905, leaving him in the care of a man said to be his father, William Washington, who was cruel and abusive.

A pitiful, half naked Ben arrived at the home of Steve Jackson in 1906. Steve and his recent bride, Pearl Shannon, had started their family but were willing to adopt Ben.

Jackson told the court he could give Ben a good home, teach him to work, to be upright, honest, send him to school and see that he had an opportunity to make a good man.

Sixteen years old Ben requested the court change his surname from Washington to Jackson. The adoption and request for surname change was granted by the court, 28th Sep 1908.

In 1910, eight-teen years old Ben Jackson was living in the Jackson household with his adopted parents, siblings, and paternal grandparents.

Ben was a married man in 1920. Apparently he did become a good man. His younger brother Versie Washington was living with Ben and his wife Bettie. According to their World War I Draft Registration Cards, Ben was living on Steve Jackson's place and Versie worked for Steve Jackson.

During this season of thankfulness, I am thankful a good man, Steve Jackson, invested time and resources in the lives of brothers Ben and Versie.

How is Steve Jackson connected to my family?
Steve Jackson's sister, Susan Jackson, married Pedro Demyers.
Pedro Demyers was the son of John T Demyers and Mary Hart(Truehart).
John T Demyers and my 2nd great grandmother, Alice Demyers Overton Usher were siblings.

Chancery Court Case
Copiah County, Mississippi
Case Number: 4162
Microfilm Number: 8256
Microfilm found at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History

Servants Have Boils and Risings - 1861

The Great Grandchildren of Patience Bradley

The mistress of Spring Hill Plantation, Sarah Frances Adams Taliaferro, wrote a newsy letter to her son Henry during the first year of the Civil War. Below is an excerpt from that letter mentioning the servants and their suffering with boils and risings. A boil is a painful, pus-filled bump under the skin caused by infected, inflamed hair follicles.

The Excerpt of the Letter
Sarah Frances Taliaferro to her son Henry (Richard Henry Taliaferro)
Spring Hill Plantation
November 16, 1861

"We are getting on now pretty well picking cotton but have been much hindered by the servants having boils & risings. Edmond has had his hand in a sling for 6 weeks - Rachel and Gilmer have done nothing for 2 months - Patience with one finger - Sam with sore back - no fevers or chills on the place the whole summer - the cotton is indifferent they say it is rotten in the bolls."

Sarah Frances was married to Peachy Ridgway Taliaferro of Copiah County, Mississippi. After his death in 1852, she was allotted several slaves including the ones mentioned in the letter. Edmund was appraised at $1500, Rachael $1000, Gilmer $1300, Patience $600, and Sam $700.

Patience, along with her husband Arthur, and five of their children were also named on Peachy R Taliaferro's probate records.

How does Patience connect to my family?
Patience Bradley's grandson, James Howard Bradley, married Ella Demyers. Ella Demyers was the daughter of Peachy Demyers.
Peachy Demyers was the brother of my 2nd great grandmother, Alice Demyers Overton Usher.

Letter Excerpt Shared by Beverley Ballantine from Family Letters
Photograph Courtesy of Melvia Ella Cherry Dean

The Settlement Louie Heirs vs Washington Heirs

George Washington and and his wife Leah Beasley Washington, who did not have children together, died intestate. Fifty acres in Copiah County, Mississippi, were at dispute among their heirs.

The complainants in the case were George's grandchildren, children of his deceased son from a previous relationship. They claimed Leah Washington never held title to the land, therefore her kin could not inherit the property.

The defendants in the case were Leah's nieces and nephews. They charged Leah was the only heir at the time of George's death and they also questioned the paternity of Jim Washington. They believed Jim was not a son of George Washington, thus, Jim's children were not heirs of George Washington.

The complainants filed the case in Copiah County Chancery Court, October 1903.

George and Leah purchased the land jointly, thus, when George died in 1900, Leah became the absolute or sole owner of the property. The questions of George's heirs, title and paternity did not need to be addressed. Leah was the sole owner and it would be her heirs, the Louie family, who would inherit the 50 acres of land when she died in 1902.

Source
Copiah County Chancery Court Records
Case Number: 3260
Microfilm Number: 8245
Record found at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History

The Defendants - William Louie et al.
The Complainants - Lawyer Washington et al.

The Complainants Lawyer Washington et al.

George Washington and his wife Leah, who did not have children together, died intestate. Fifty acres in Copiah County, Mississippi, were at dispute among their heirs. George and Leah had lived together for nearly a half century. Their marriage was never legalized but they were married according to the customs of slavery. George died in 1900; Leah in 1902.

The complainants filed the case in Copiah County Chancery Court, 1903. They were the grandchildren of George Washington.

George Washington was born about 1810 in South Carolina. He was a slave of the Hooker family, probably Zadock Hooker who owned 52 slaves per the 1860 Copiah County Slave Schedule.

George had only one child, a son, James/Jim Washington born about 1853 to Susan Fry.

James married Easter Davis, 01 Feb 1872, in Copiah County. By 1880, the family had added six children; William 11, George 7, Lawyer 5, Quilla 4, Elias 2, and Mary Ida 0. James and Easter died after 1880, and the couple's children were raised by George and Leah. By the 1900 census, George and Leah were living alone.

All of James' children, with the exception of George, were named as complainants. The complainants charged Leah Washington never held title to the land, therefore the defendants could not inherit land from Leah.

Source
Copiah County Chancery Court Records
Case Number: 3260
Microfilm Number: 8245
Record found at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History

How do the complainants connect to my family tree?
I am not sure how I connect to this group of Washington kin. I connect to them through DNA tests.

Next Post - The Defendants

Hannah Furnace b. 1856 Friday Furnace Findings

Children of James Howard Bradley, Sr., and his wife Ella Demyers
Grandchildren of Hannah Furnace

Researching a paternal great grandmother, Jane Furnace born about 1860, to discover her parentage and additional information about her life.

Hannah Furnace was born about 1856 in Mississippi. Hannah had a child with a 2nd great granduncle, thus she is on my family tree. I suspect she is related to my great grandmother Jane Furnace but I have not found any information to connect the two ladies.

In 1870, Copiah County, Mississippi, Hannah was in the household of Hezekiah Brown, a former slave owner of family members. She was 14 years old, listed as one of four domestic servants. None of the domestic servants shared her surname.

Hannah had a daughter, about 1871, with Peachy Demyers. She named her Ella. The Copiah County educable children lists shows Ella Meyers, 6 years old.

Twenty one year old Hannah and her nine year old daughter Ella were living in the 1880 household of Elijah and Alice Overton Usher. Their relationship to the head of household was listed as other. Alice Overton Usher was my 2nd great grandmother.

Hannah Furnace married Jordan Powell, 24 Dec 1884, in Copiah County. This is the last record I found Hannah.

Ella, Hannah's daughter, married James Howard Bradley. They had several children: Mary Alma, Ella Mae, Lela Beck, Hannah, James Howard Jr., Oliver Barrington, and Celestine Dicey. Ella and her family were last seen in the Copiah County census in 1910; Tallahatchie County, Mississippi in 1920. The family moved to Gary, Indiana, by 1930. Ella died in 1938, in Gary.

How does Hannah connect to my family?
Hannah married Peach Demyers
Peach Demyers was the son of my 3rd great grandmother, Peggie Demyers.

Photograph Courtesy of Melvia Ella Cherry Dean
Direct Descendant of Hannah Furnace

Friday Furnace Findings Jane Furnace Overton

Researching a paternal great grandmother, Jane Furnace born about 1860, to discover her parentage and additional information about her life.

The Furnace family of Copiah County, Mississippi, left very little of a paper trail. The only census great grandmother Jane Furnace was found was the 1870 census . She was listed as a 10 year old, born in MS. Her parents may be Alexander Furnace and Charlotte. The next piece of paper to document her life was in 1898.

Jane's first child, a daughter, was born about 1873. The father of the child was Elijah Usher (1848-1925). Elijah was married to my 2nd great grandmother Alice Demyers whom he married in 1869.

• Ollie Usher, 1873-1938, married Emsley Wallace in 1893

The father of Jane's other children was Richmond Overton (Alice Demyers Usher's only child). Oral history whispered the children claimed to be Richmond's are not all his but some are the children of Elijah Usher. DNA tests will have to solve that quandary.

• Mary Brown Overton, 1882-1938, married Pink Jack Brandon
• John Evans Overton, Sr., 1882-1958, married Georgia Rockingham
• Garland Overton, 1883 - ?, married Lethy Dixon
• Haber Overton ,1887 - ?, married Rosa Louie
• Edgar Overton, 1887-1923, married Hannah Gary
• Carrie Overton, 1888-1916
• Severe Overton, 1890-1933, married Wayman/Raymond Flowers
• Gertrude Overton (my grandmother), 1895-1967, married Mike Durr, Sr
• Melissa Overton, 1897 - ?, married Unknown Linson
• Alice Overton, 1900-1929, married McNesse Sanders
• Jean Overton
  Nothing Available

Jane and Richmond legalized their two decades relationship, 02 Apr 1898, Copiah County.

My grandmother Gertrude always said her mother died when she was seven years old, which would date Jane's death between 1901-1903.

Chopping Wood on a Cold Mississippi Day

How much wood would a woodchuck chop for a Mississippi winter? I don't know but I suspect Earnest Spencer knew how much it took to heat his home in rural Copiah County, Mississippi.

Earnest was born in 1881 in Copiah County, died in 1971 in Chicago. He was the son of Lewis and Emaline Spencer.

Homesteading cousins talk about a cord of wood, which they consider more than enough to get through a mild Mississippi winter depending on size of home, how well insulated and the efficiency of a wood stove.

How does Earnest connect to my family tree?
Earnest married Ada Markham. She was a sister of my grandmother, Alice Markham Marshall.

Photograph of Ernest is courtesy of Anita Christopher, Ernest's granddaughter.
Photograph of the cord of wood is courtesy of Wikipedia.

Picture of Ada and Ernest

Barbara Funace Friday Furnace Findings

Researching a paternal great grandmother, Jane Furnace born about 1860, to discover her parentage and additional information about her life.

Searching for my Furnace relatives has me scratching my head, where o where art thou. As of this date, I've found very little to document them or to prove relationships.

Barbara Furnace was different. I've been able to find her in most of the census records until she disappeared in 1930. I suspect Barbara was a sister to my great grandmother Jane Furnace. Barbara was born about 1853 in Mississippi. She was first seen in the 1870 census living with several other Furnace relatives including Alexander and Charlotte who may be her parents. She was 17 years old.

By 1880, she was living next door to Martha Furnace, a possible sister. Barbara had two children; nine year old Lawrence, and infant daughter Loeb. I didn't find the children on any educable children lists. Barbara is 25 years old.

Twenty years later, the children from Barbara 1880's household were no longer in her household and they were not found in the 1900 census. In the 1900 household were three additional children: Aria, 12; Kady, 7; Frank, 5. Barbara was listed a widow, 48 years old.

In 1910, Barbara (Bobbie) had three grandchildren living with her: Hattie Ebbs, 15; J B Dodds,5; Dodds, 2. Daughters Mettie Conley and Aria Rea, son-in-law Jack Rea were also living with her. Barbara was 51 years old.

Living in Barbara's 1920 household were her daughter Mettie Conley, 38, and two grandsons, Bob and Cal Conley. Barbara was 62 years old. This was her last census.

Albert Ebbs was named as the father of three of Barbara's children, Doshia, Aria and Mettie. He may be the father of all of Barbara's children. Albert lived near the Furnace families in Copiah County. Albert died 02 January 1929, in Copiah County, at the age of 85 years. Barbara's death record was not found.

Barbara's Daughters Marriages - Copiah County, Mississippi
Docia Ebbs b. 1873, married Henry Jeff Fair 26 Jan 1898
Mittie Ebbs, b 1890, married Willie Conley 29 Nov 1906
Aria Ebbs, b. 1894, married Jack Rea

Heir Property - A Tangled Web

It was probably a proud day for Washington Marshall when he scribbled the "x" on the deed. He could now provide for his family on his own ten acres, purchased in rural Copiah County, MS, about 10 miles west of Hazlehurst on 23rd March 1899, from Fred Rembert and his wife Hannah. Fred's father, Richard Rembert, purchased the land from the prominent Millsaps family in 1874.

In 1900, seventy-eight year old Washington was living with his wife Mary, 61, and their children: Willie, 23; Charley, 22; Henry, 21; Dan (my grandfather), 14; Annie, 23; and Alice, 19. Mary had given birth to 14 children, 8 were living. The couple had been married for 45 years. No one in the household could read or write. They were all farming the land.

10 Ac in NW Corner NW 1/4 SW 1/4 - Sec 12 - 9N - 6E
HWY 28

Washington and Mary were still alive in 1910, living with them were three of their children; Annie, Charley and Dan. By 1920, both Wash and Mary were deceased and neither left a will. Living on the land were the same three children from the 1910 census, Charley, Annie, Dan, plus their widowed sister Alice Goodwin. The land was not legally transferred.

Between the 1920 thru 1940 censuses, Charley left to marry Ola Smith Coleman and established a household, helped Ola to raise children from a previous marriage. Dan got himself a wife in 1927, my grandmother Alice Markham. They continued living on the place, added two children. Annie remained single, eventually living with her sister Alice Goodwin who had built a separate house, which she also shared with her daughter, son-in-law and two grandchildren. The land was not legally transferred.

Annie Marshall died in 1937, leaving no heirs. Alice Marshall Goodwin died in 1941, leaving several heirs. Dan was the last of Washington's children to reside on the land. He died in 1955. His wife Alice remained until she developed dementia and left to live with a sister in the early 1960s. Dan's wife Alice died in 1966. Dan and Alice's two children are deceased, leaving several heirs. The land was not legally transferred.

Washington and Mary's children were: Collin, Esther, Margaret, Humphrey, Jessie, Willie, George, Annie, Charley, Mary, Henry, Alice and Daniel, leaving countless, unknown heirs.

The acreage remains in the family, unused. The acreage will likely remain heir's property, too costly to pursue unknown heirs to settle small acreage. I suppose one day the land will be sold for taxes when there are no longer heirs who have a memory of its history.

Mary and Martha FurnaceFriday Furnace Findings

Researching a paternal great grandmother, Jane Furnace born about 1860, to discover her parentage and additional information about her life.

Following sisters Mary and Martha Furnace, who were in the 1870 household of Alexander Furnace, has proved to be difficult. The sisters may be sisters to my great grandmother Jane Furnace.

Between the 1870 and 1880 census Martha had five children: Mariah b. 1868; Alexander (Ellic) b. 1870; Henry b. 1873: Amy b. 1876; and Hart T W b. 1879. They all used the Furnace surname in both census. The father of the children was not in the household and his birthplace was reported as Virginia for all the children in 1880.

A death record for R T Kennard named his parents as Edmond Kennard and Martha Furnace. He was born 1888, in Copiah County, died in Kentwood, Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana in 1938.

Edmund Kennard was born about 1814. He lived in the same community with the Furnace family. He was a married man with children. He was followed through the 1900 census.

The 1870 census was the only one found for Mary. I searched for her children hoping to find them under a different surname in the household with Mary. The children were Wallace b. 1866, and George b. 1868.

The sisters and their children disappear from the records. They are likely using a different surname, missed or avoided the enumerators.

The Richard Rembert Family

Eight years after the end of the Civil War, Richard Rembert was named as one of the trustees on a 1873 deed for the New Zion Baptist Church.

Richard and his family were the slaves of John Rembert in Copiah County, Mississippi, near Hazlehurst.

John Rembert was a prosperous slave owner who owned 62 slaves at the time of his death in Feb 1858. Those slaves were allotted to his children, less than a year after his death, in January 1859.

Richard and his family were in Lot 1. They went to John's daughter Amelia Rembert Grandberry. She was the wife of Benjamin F Grandberry who was also a slave owner.

Lot 1
Dick, Charlie, Alcinda and child (Cherry), Margaret, Fed, Posh, Jane, Klavia

The values placed on the individuals in lot 1 from John's 1858 inventory and appraisement listing were as follows: Dick $1400; Charlie $1400; Alainda and child Cherry $900: Margaret $300; Fed $300; Poash $1300; Jane $1100.

Richard and Alcinda legalized their marriage 10 Jul 1870.

The Rembert household of 1870 consisted of Richard, 45 - Cinda, 40 - Ann, 15 - Cherry, 14 - Fred, 13 - Cuff 43, and twenty years old James, all born in Mississippi. Cuff's age suggest he may be a brother to Richard or Cinda but more research is needed to confirm relationship. Cuff was also named on the inventory listing. No one in the household could read or write. By 1880, Richard and Cinda had one child living with them, 24 year old Fred and his wife Hannah, 19. Richard was 56 and Cinda hadn't aged, she was still 40. They farmed for a living.

Richard purchased land from E Millsaps in 1874 and the family farm was productive.

Richard and Alcinda disappeared from the 1900 census. Alcinda was found in 1910, a 72 year old widow, living alone. She lived next door to my great grandparents Washington and Mary Marshall in Copiah County. Alcinda shared with the census worker she had given birth to three children, one living. She also shared she could read and write. Alcinda died 11 Feb 1917.

How does the Rembert family connect to my family?
Fred Rembert, son of Richard and Alcinda, sold land to my great grandfather Washington Marshall.

Rembert Marriages (Copiah County, Mississippi)
Richard Rembert married Alcinda Rembert 10 July 1870
Maggie Rembert married Frank Calhoun 02 May 1872
Cherry Rembert married Henry Jackson 06 Sep 1872
Fred Rembert married Hannah Sinclair 30 Jul 1879

Additional Sources:
1880 Copiah County Agricultural Schedule
Copiah County Deed - Book 9 - Page 283

Deed for New Zion Baptist Church 1873

The Indenture made and entered into this 18th day of August AD 1873 by and between David Bufkin and Susan P Bufkin, his wife, of the first part, and Richard Rembert, Andrew Watson and Jefford Campbell, Trustees of New Zion Baptist Church of the second part; all of the county of Copiah and the State of Mississippi.

Witnesseth: That the said parties of the first part for in consideration of the sum of five dollars to them in hand paid by the said parties of the second part, have this day granted, bargained and by these present, do hereby grant, bargain, sell and convey unto the said parties of the second part and their successors in office, and assign all that certain tract of land lying and being situated in the County and State aforesaid. Know and described as follows to wit: Commencing at a point on the Three Notch Road Thirteen (13) chains South and Three (3) chains and Fifty (50) links West of the North East corner of the South East Quarter of the North East corner of Section Thirty five (35) Township Ten (10) Range Six (6) East ? thence West Five (5) chains; Thence South four (4) chains; Thence East Five (5) chains; thence north four (4) chains to beginning; containing by estimation two (2) acres more or less, To have and to hold the same together with all the rights and appurtenances thereunto belonging or in anywise appertaining to the said parties of the second part their successors in office and assigned to fee simple forever.

In trust and confidence to and for the uses, intents and purposes hereinafter mentioned, namely: To have and to hold the monies herein conveyed for the sole and separate use and benefit of the said New Zion Baptist Church and the members thereof to be used, owned and enjoyed by them for the purpose of erecting thereon a church of worship, cemetery and any and all other necessary improvements that maybe beneficial or useful for said church or for any purpose connected therewith.

On testimony whereof the said parties of the first part have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year above written.

David Buffkin (seal_
Susan P Buffin (seal)

Note: The record was recorded in the Copiah County Courthouse October 22nd 1877.

How does this church connect to my family?
Maternal and paternal family were/are members of this church. It was the childhood church home of my mother

Record found at Mississippi Department of Archives and History
Microfilm Number: 8112
Book DD, Page 597
Image of Deed

Greater New Zion MB Church Down the Hill from Antioch

Greater New Zion Missionary Baptist Church

On the 18th of August 1873, David and Susan Bufkin sold two acres of land to the trustees of the New Zion Church, located in Copiah County, Mississippi. David and Susan were members of Antioch Baptist, just several feet from the location of New Zion. Antioch had a slave gallery and its slave membership was more than half, reaching 156 Negroes in 1865. By 1866, the Negro membership was zero. It is plausible several of those former members started New Zion after they left Antioch.

Looking at the 1860 Copiah County Slave Schedule, I didn't find David as a slave owner. There were two Bufkin slave owners, owning a total of five slaves between them.

Edwin Burnley, a slave owner associated with my family was a member of Antioch.

Going from Hazlehurst, before you reach Somerset you pass the old Antioch Baptist Church. Pa gave most of the money for the building and had his church membership there. A part of the auditorium was separated from the rest by pillars and reserved for the Negroes, and their amens and halleluiahs mingled with those of their masters. From Edwina Burnley Memoirs

Antioch Baptist Church
To the right, background, is Greater New Zion Church

This indenture made and entered into this 18th day of August AD 1873 by and between David Bufkin and Susan P Bufkin his wife, of the first part and Richard Rembert, Andrew Watson and Jefford Campbell, Trustees of New Zion Baptist Church of the 2nd part, all of the county of Copiah and the State of Mississippi...I have and to hold the promises herein conveyed for the sole and separate use and benefit of the said New Zion Church, and the members thereof to be used, owned and enjoyed by them for the purpose of erecting thereon a church of worship, cemetery and any and all other necessary improvements that may be beneficial or useful for said church...

How does this church connect to my family tree?
My maternal and paternal family are connected to this church. It was my mother's church during her youth. My mother's dad, Daniel Marshall, was a member and he is buried in the church cemetery in an unmarked grave. Several of my paternal grandmother's Overton family were members, many buried in the cemetery.

Come Let Us Worship
Legend of Antioch

Searching for the Furnace Branch Friday Furnace Findings

This is the year I plan to spend time researching my Furnace branch of the family, searching for Jane Furnace's parents and siblings from Copiah County, Mississippi, near Hazlehurst.

Jane Furnace was a great grandmother I have so little information. She was the mother of my paternal grandmother Gertrude Overton Durr. Jane died when my grandmother was 7 years old, so, I suppose that is one of the reasons little is known about Jane. I think Jane was born about 1860, in Mississippi. She was likely a slave on one of three intersecting plantations connected to my paternal family.

Lets take a look at the 1870 census for Copiah County, Mississippi. A Jane Furnace was found on the 1870 census, recorded as a ten year old. Relationships were not defined in 1870, therefore I am not sure of her relationship to the people in the Furnace households. I didn't find Jane in any other census that is recognizable to me.

The Furnace family was living near Hezekiah Brown, a known slave owner of paternal family members. Two households of Furnace family lived next door to each other. I suspect they were living in cabins formerly inhabited by slaves. In one household was Alexander Furnis 60, who might be Jane's father or grandfather. A 50 year old Charlotte lived with Alexander: Martha 24 and two children, Mariah and Ellic; Mary 28 and three children, Wallace, George and Josephine. The growing, maturing family extended next door with 21 year old Omar, Barbara 17, Elbert 15, Jane 10 and twelve year old Elizabeth. Skip the next home and we find Nathan Furnis 30, Susan 25, and children Willie and Martha.

The oldest two members were born in Virginia, all others in Mississippi. No one could read and write. The value of the family's real estate was $225.

Farmer was how Alexander Furnis was described on the 1870 census. Next week I will share whether he was a landowner or a renter of the land.