The Heart Necklace

For awhile in cousin Ludora Coleman Ball's life. daughter of Smylie Coleman and Joann Benson, the heart necklace was a favorite to wear. If you look closely at the picture below, you can see it around her neck, below the pin on her blouse. Ludora's cousin Elaine also has on the same necklace.

 Ludora Coleman,  Elijah "Puddin" Smith and Elijah's sister Elaine Smith

 

Ludora has on the same necklace in her high school graduation picture of 1946

Here she is again with her husband Mozell Ball and two daughters with the heart necklace.

Ludora Coleman Ball is my 2nd cousin. We share the same great grandparents Monroe Markham and Mary Byrd.

Marilda Ann Jackson Ball 1868-1947

Lillie Mae Jackson, of Brookhaven, recognized this photo of her grandmother, Marilda Ball, who lived in the Caseville area, was born in 1863 and died March 24 1947.

Jackson recalled that the photograph was taken in 1942, because her brother, Mozell Ball, was going off to World War II and wanted a photograph of his grandmother to take with him. Apparently it bought him good luck because he was in Hawaii during the bombing of Pearl Harbor and survived to eventually retire from the military after many years of service.

Marilda had three girls, Luberta, Emma and Adelaide, who was mother to Lillie Mae Jackson. Jackson has three children of her own: Ivy Burt of Brookhaven, Anderson Burt of Milwaukee, Wisc., and Mozel Jackson of Brookhaven who called with these details and was named after his uncle.

From information gathered from census records, Marilda was the daughter of Levi Jackson and Harriet Coleman. She was found in the census records from 1870 through 1940 with the exception of the 1930 census. She married Alex Ball in 1909, Lincoln County, Mississippi.

Here s a picture of Marilda's grandson, Mozell Ball, dressed in his military uniform.

Mozell married my maternal 2nd cousin, Ludora Coleman, daughter of Smylie and Joanna Benson Coleman. Here is a picture of Mozell, Ludora and two of their daughters, Shirley and Jane.

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.

Henry and Eudora Coleman

Henry H Coleman was born, 04 Jul 1877, in Franklin County, MS, to Philip Coleman and Jane Williard. He married Eudora "Dora" Markham, 16 Dec 1896. She was born, 17 Jan 1877, in Lincoln County, MS, to Monroe Markham and Mary Jane Byrd.

Dora was the fourth child, first daughter of 17 children born to her parents. Dora's younger sibling called her Sister Dora because she was a married woman with children close in age of some of her siblings.

Education was important in the Markham's household. According to oral history, Dora taught her husband how to read at the end of their long days. They were both active in church and community activities. Henry held the office of pastor, Class Leader and Sunday School Superintendent. Dora was president of the Stewardess Board and the Missionary Society.

The couple were successful farmers and land owners. Their land is held by their descendants.

The couple were the parents of fourteen children. The children were:
Smylie Coleman (1897-1991) married Joanna Benson
Nellie Coleman (1899-?)
Clara Jane Coleman (1900)
Emmet Coleman (1901-1976) married Estella Williams
Grover Coleman (1903-1965) married Amanda Brooks and Ollie Bell Justice
James Coleman (1904-?)
Henry Webb Coleman (1906-1992) married Mattie Lee Baker and Ethel Myers
Anderson Coleman (1908-?)
Albert B (1909-?)
Dorcus Ethel (1910-2000) married Ulysses Williams
Gladys Coleman (1912-1981) married Johnny Hughes Jr
Lewis Larry Coleman (1914-1976)
Ida Coleman (1917-?)
Woodrow Coleman (1919-2010) married Odessa

How does the couple connect to my family tree?
Edudora Markham Coleman and my grandmother, Alice Markham Marshall, were sisters.

Picture from Cory Broadnax
Another Photograph of the Couple

Barbara Markham Thompson Coleman Born About 1865

Wife of Thomas Thompson and Cupit Coleman, Jr
Mother of Henrietta Thompson and Dora Thompson Roberts
Daughter of James Markham and Marilda Whitney

How does Barbara connect to my family tree?
She was a sister to my great grandfather, Monroe Markham.

Photograph courtesy of Anita Christopher and Rance Brown.

1918 A Bad Year Luther Coleman vs Eddie Coleman

Luther and Eddie's youngest daughter, Amy Victoria Coleman Beard
Photograph Courtesy of Eddie Beard

The year 1918 was a bad year for the Luther Coleman family. The family began the new year, Jan 19, with the premature birth and death of a baby boy. The eldest son shot his six year old sister, 21 Jul, after they were left alone without adult supervision. Luther Coleman, and his wife Eddie Roberts Coleman separated in December. Luther had an ongoing relationship outside of the marriage. The deaths of two children in 1918 were likely the straw that broke the camel's back in the dissolution of the marriage.

Luther Coleman married Eddie Roberts on Christmas eve, 1905, in Lincoln County, Mississippi. The couple had six children: Lula Mae, T. C., George, S. A., Amy Victoria, and Willie.

A bill of complaint was made against Eddie, 05 Mar 1920, claiming she had deserted the marriage for more than two years, lived separately from her family in Bogalusa, Louisiana. Luther wanted a divorce and the custody of his four children who were in his custody.

Three children were listed in the 1920 census living with their paternal grandmother, Amy Markham Coleman: 13-year-old Lula, eleven-year-old TC, 7-year-old George. Amy was four, maybe with her mother.

The children's grandmother died 04 Mar 1920, which likely spurred Luther to file for divorce and custody.

Eddie claimed she was not living in Bogalusa, she lived with her mother, Sallie Roberts, less than 2 miles from Luther and the children. She claimed he was cruel and inhumane, did not provide for her, and was guilty of adultery. She left her home because of inhumane treatment. She wanted to dissolve the marriage, custody of the children, alimony, and attorney fees

Luther was a farmer, with access to 53 acres. Eddie said he made large crops, which brought in good money.

Eddie, 35, was living with her mother per the 1920 census in Lincoln County.

The couple's marriage legally ended 26 Apr 1920. Eddie was granted custody of the minor children. Luther was ordered to aid in the children's support and given the right to see the children at reasonable times. He was also ordered to pay the attorney fees for Eddie's attorney.

How does the family connect to me?
Luther Coleman was the son of Anthony Coleman and Amy Markham.
Amy Markham and my great-grandfather, Monroe Markham, were siblings.

Source
Lincoln County Chancery Court Record
Case Number: 4265
Microfilm Number: 12876
Microfilm found at Mississippi Department of Archives and History

Read the newspaper article concerning S. A.'s death here, read additional information here and more here.

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

Wordless Wednesday Anna Butler Coleman 1887-1956

Daughter of George and Mary Ann Butler
Wife of Melvin Coleman, Sr
Mother of Anna, Henry, Melvin, Johnnie, Willie May, J C, Nellie, and Eula Tee

How does Annie connect to my family tree?
Anna's hubsand Melvin Coleman was the son of Tom Coleman and Nellie Markham.
Nellie Markham Coleman and my great grandfather, Monroe Markham, were siblings.

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

Wordless Wednesday Dorcas Mae Coleman Thompson

How does she connect to my family?
Dorcas and I share a set of great grandparents,
Monroe and Mary Byrd Markham
We are second cousins. Dorcas lives in Mississippi.

Picture courtesy of Cory Broadnax

Ora Coleman Lee 1907-1993

Notice the outhouses, clothes waving in the wind, and the houses in the background. Ora was likely born in Lincoln County, Mississippi. She and the family she created lived in Winnsboro, Louisiana. She was the daughter of Henry Coleman, Sr, and Florence Washington. She married John Emanuel "Manuel" Lee.

How does Ora Lee connect to my family?
After the death of Ora's father, her mother Florence married James "Jim" Scott.
Jim Scott was the son of James Pearly Scott, Sr., and Viola Markham.
Viola Markham Henderson and my great grandfather, Monroe Markham, were siblings.

Picture Courtesy of Ivy Lee, Grandson of Ora

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

Veteran's Day - 2015

Mozell Ball
1924-1993
World War II
Son of Alex Ball and Adla Jackson
Husband of Lue Dora Coleman
Husband of Mary Elizabeth Williams

How does Mozell Ball connect to my family tree?
Lue Dora Coleman, Mozell's wife, was the daughter of Smylie Coleman and Joanna Benson.
Smylie Coleman was the son of Henry Coleman and Eudora "Dora" Markham.
Eudora Markham Coleman and my grandmother, Alice Markham Marshall, were sisters.

Find a Grave - Mozell's Headstone

Photograph courtesy of Cory Broadnax
Private Collection of Jurlean Coleman Thomas

Wordless Wednesday Charlie Benson 1878 - 1962

Son of James Benson and Laura Mae Pierce
Husband of Lula Young and Dora Henderson
Father of Joanna, Nannie, Nathaniel, Louada, R W, Laura, Charlie Ray, and Helen

How does Charlie connect to my family?
Charlie's daughter, Joanna, married Smylie Arthur Coleman.
Smylie was the son of Henry Coleman and Eudora "Dora" Markham.
Eudora and my maternal grandmother, Alice Markham Marshall, were siblings.

Photograph courtesy of Cory Broadnax
Direct Descendant of Charlie Benson

Three Brothers Married Three Sisters

Archie Hilliard
Born about 1874

Three brothers married three sisters. The brothers were the sons of Alexander Hilliard and Leitha Culver. The sisters were the daughters of James Coleman and Mary Ann Markham. They were born and raised in Lincoln County, Mississippi.

The three couples produced 25 double first cousins.

Archie Hilliard, Sr., (1874-1960), married Lucy Coleman (1874-1942), 13 Dec 1895, in Lincoln County, MS. Their children were: Archie, Jr., Lamar, Edward, Grover, Bessie, Lessie, Deforest, Jessie Mae, and Beasley.

John Hilliard (1870 - ?), married Levanna Coleman (1876 - ?), 12 Dec 1895, in Lincoln County, MS. Their children were: Ontee, Anna/Amizone, James, Gertrude, Mary, and Artimessia.

Versie Hilliard (1879 - ?), married Mary Coleman (1884 - ?), 13 Dec 1900, in Lincoln County, MS. Their children were: Estelle, Lucille, Luther, Versie, Jr., Garvey, Alma, Clifton, Marion, Mildred, and Mary.

Photograph Courtesy of Cherri Herring

How do the couples connect to my family tree?
The sisters' mother, Mary Ann Markham Coleman, and my great grandfather Monroe Markham were siblings.

Wordless Wednesday Henry and Naomi Adams Pierce

Naomi Adams (1891-1965) and husband Henry Pierce (1886-1971)

How does the couple connect to my family?
Their son Julius Pierce married my 2nd cousin, Ernestine Coleman.
Their daughter Helen Marie Pierce married my 2nd cousin 1x removed, Paul Scott.

Photograph Courtesy of Nathaniel Thomas

Wordless Wednesday Gladys Coleman Roy & Sons circa 1959

Gladys Amanda Coleman Roy and sons
James and Joe

Gladys was the daughter of James E Coleman and Mamie Bryant
Wife of Joe Eddie Roy
Mother of Joe, Jr., James and Jerry Roy

Picture Courtesy of Lisa Roy

How does Gladys connect to my family?
Gladys' grandmother, Mary Ann Markham Coleman, and
my great grandfather, Monroe Markham, were siblings.

Hartley Siblings Died of TB - April 1927

A separate room outdoors, isolation unit for tuberculosis patient in the backyard of her family's home on La Delta project. Thomastown, Louisiana

Pulmonary tuberculosis is a contagious disease spread through the air via cough, spit,sneezing. If the disease is left untreated, 50% of the infected die. The classic symptoms of active TB infection are a chronic cough with blood-tinged sputum, fever, night sweats, and weight loss (the latter giving rise to the formerly common term for the disease, "consumption").

Hartley siblings, Cora and Jewel, were born about 10 years apart; Cora in 1902 and Jewel in 1912. They were the children of Tom and Sarah Coleman Hartley. The siblings mother died in 1914, leaving the young children to be raised by their father and his new wife, Della Wallace, near Crystal Springs, Copiah County, MS.

The father Tom was the first in the family to die with TB. He died 28 Jan 1926. Jewel died 06 Apr 1927; few weeks later his sister Cora died 27 April 26 1927. They were all buried at Gallman Chapel Church Cemetery.

Image from Library of Congress
Wikipedia
Tom Hartley and Sarah Coleman Hartley's Death Certificates
Cora and Jewel Hartley's Death Certificates

Sarah Coleman Hartley 1875-1914

Born in Caseyville, Lincoln County, MS
Daughter of Richard Coleman and Rosetta Ervin
Wife of Thomas/Tom Hartley

Image Courtesy of Dr Debbie Bullock, direct descendant

Sarah's brother, Clarence, married my grandaunt, Nellie Markham.

Richard Coleman of Caseyville, MS

Richard Coleman, daughter Alice, and wife Rosetta

Richard Coleman was born about 1855, raised on the Daniel Buie Plantation with his mother, siblings and several other slave families.

The Buie family were pious Presbyterians, considered plain, unpretending, honest, simple farmers who were not wealthy. The plantation was located in Caseyville, Copiah County, MS. Most of the Buie's slave population grew from within or from natural increase. They would purchase slaves as needed. Daniel Buie owned 83 slaves when he died in 1862, which would classify him as a planter.

Lucinda was Richard's mother. She was born about 1820, maybe, in Virginia. Lucinda stated in a deposition that she was the slave of Daniel Buie since the age of 13, since the mid 1830s. By the time she gave the deposition in 1881, she was known as Old Aunt Lucy. Richard's father was Cupit Coleman who lived on the neighboring plantation of Dougald McMillan. Cupit was valued at $600 on the 1865 inventory and appraisal of Dougald McMillan's property.

Lucinda and Cupit had a dozen or more children. Several were named on Daniel Buie's 1862 inventory list. Richard was a boy appraised at $400.

He was still living with his parents in 1870, married by 1880 to Rosetta Irvin/Erwin.

Richard and Rosetta's children were:
Clarence b. about 1877, married Nellie Markham (my grandaunt)
Sarah b. about 1875, married Thomas Hartley
Richard b. about 1879, married Martha A Dixon
Norris b. about 1881, married Pinkie Henderson
Mary b. about 1881, married Daniel Hilliard
Norah b. about 1884
Emily born about 1887
Liza born about 1888
David b. 1889, married Bettie Sartin, child with Della Wallace
Rosetta b. about 1890, married David Brewer (my 2nd cousin 1x removed)
Letha b. about 1893, married L T Thomas, child with Ellis Johnson
Fannie b. about 1895, married Minor Herring
James b. about 1897
Dock b. about 1898, married Luna Herring
Alice b. about 1900, married Nathaniel Henderson and Archie Hilliard, Jr (my 2nd cousin 1x removed)

Richard lived a quite life as a farmer and preacher. He died 01 Jul 1927 in Caseyville of heart and kidney disease. Rosetta died after 1930.

Image Courtesy of Gertha Hilliard Williams and Alice Hilliard Young
Richard Coleman's 1927 Death Certificate

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