Wordless Wednesday McDaniel Brothers

Demetrius and Martin Luther McDaniel III

How do the boys connect to my family?
The brothers' great grandaunt Mary Lou McDaniel married my cousin, Frank Scott.

Photograph courtesy of Anthony Neal, Sr

Cousins Spending Time Together on a Summer Day

Allura Freeman Wade and Bettie McDaniel Neal

The joy seen on their faces is priceless. I think this was the first time the cousins met. One lives in Arizona and the other in a Chicago suburb. They share a set of 2nd great grandparents, John Coleman Bryant and his wife Elizabeth McDaniel.

John and Elizabeth were slaves in Franklin County, Mississippi. The couple had two sons to survive to adulthood and produce children. One son chose to use the surname of his mother's slave owner, John McDaniel; the other son chose to use the surname his father used, which was Bryant.

How do the 2nd cousins connect to my family tree?
Their 3rd cousin, Mary Lou McDaniel, married my 1st cousin 2x removed, Frank Scott, Sr.
Their 3rd cousin, Mamie J Bryant, married my 1st cousin 2x removed, James Coleman.

Photograph Courtesy of Anthony Neal, Sr

Sunday Obituary Mrs Jimmie Leola McDaniel Sanders 1920-2012

Mrs Jimmie Leola Sanders was born to Preston and Revellar McDaniel on Dec 3, 1920, in Union Church, Mississippi. She was one of seven children and was youngest of her siblings.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Paris Sanders, Sr; her father, Preston McDaniel; mother, Revellar Ephraim; brother, Roosevelt McDaniel; sisters, Bernice, Mary Lou, Annie Mae, Willie Mae, Jessie.

She attended Mount Moriah Elementary Junior High.

Jimmie Lee received Christ at an early age and rededicated her life on September 12, 2012, at 5:15 p.m. She was a faithful member of Bethel AME Church. In 1962, she united with Bethel AME Church and served in many capacities such as Stewardess Board member, Anna Belle Harris Missionary member, Class Leader, and member of the Mississippi Club.

Jimmie Lee was employed as a lead cafeteria worker for over 30 years, at the Terminal Annex United States Post Office and retired in the early 80s.

Jimmie spent endless hours assisting with the care of her grandchildren: Beverly, Anthony and Quantrell. She loved her family and was an excellent homemaker, always ready with special dish of comfort.

On December 20th, 2012, after months of illness, God took the spirit that he gave Jimmie; for the believers, we will see her again.

To cherish her memory are her children - Paris Jr, and Velma Lee; grandchildren - Beverly, Anthony, and Quantrell; great grandchildren - Paige and Austin; daughter-in-law - Marie; granddaughter-in-law Brooke; nephew - Robert Scott; nieces - Annie Mae Thomas, Geneva Smith; a host of relatives and friends.

How does Jimmie Lee Sanders connect to my family tree?
Jimmie's sister Mary Lou McDaniel married Frank Scott.
Frank Scott's mother, Catherine Matilda Markham Scott and my great grandfather Monroe Markham were siblings.

Wordless Wednesday Luau in a Chicago Backyard

The Neal-McDaniel Family and Friends

Photographs Courtesy of Tony Neal

Afro Saturday Melvin Gregory McDaniel

Son of Willie Mell and Hattie McDaniel

Photograph courtesy of Tony Neal, Sr

Afro Saturday - A Girl's 'Fro

Linda Charise Neal
Daughter of Tony and Bettie McDaniel Neal
circa 1975

Photograph courtesy of Tony Neal, Sr

Afro Saturday - Three Sisters' Afros

Elnora McDaniel

Bettie Jean McDaniel Neal

Joyce Marie McDaniel Stegall

The sisters are the daughters of David and Sadie Harvard McDaniel
Two were born in Natchez, MS, and the third in Illinois, during the 1940s.
They live in Colorado and Illinois.
Photographs courtesy of Tony Neal, Sr.

Sunday Obituary Evangelist Barbara Ann McDaniel 1942-2013

Evangelist Barbara was an outstanding daughter, mother, sister, aunt, friend, conversationalist, helper, employee and a devout christian. Barbara made many outstanding contributions to her family, extended family, friends, strangers and her community

On June 18, 1942, she and her twin brother Billy Joe were the fourth and fifth children born and the second set of twins born to the union of Willie Mel McDaniel and Leveltus Ford McDaniel in Natchez, Mississippi. She attended Sadie V Thompson High School and graduated with the class of 1962. Barbara was crowned junior queen in the 8th grade and in her senior year, she was crowned Miss Sadie V. Thompson. After graduation, she relocated to California where she continued her education at Los Angeles Trade Technical College.

In 1966, she was employed by the State of California where she served as an employment officer and later transferred to the Department of Social Services as an analyst, licensing community care facilities, recruiting and training foster parents in the Los Angeles County and retired after 35 years of service.

Barbara was an active and loyal member of Revival Time Church of God in Christ and served under Pastor Charles Bennett, Sr., and First Lady Vivian A. Bennett until her illness. She loved serving the Lord and the church was her home. During her later years, she fellowshipped with God's Divine Center of Holiness Deliverance Church under the care and leadership of Pastor Irene Robinson. Because of her love and faithfulness, she was blessed to have two ministries who cared.

Throughout her life she gave, she laughed and she meet no strangers; everyone was influenced by her welcoming and outspoken personality. Her home was a local hotel to her friends, and friends of friends, her family and their friends, no reservations were needed, just a knock on the door or a phone call to let her know you were on your way. You were guaranteed a bit to eat.

Her heart belonged to her lovely daughters Terri LaJon Ferga Barber and Dr. Dione Kramer Milan Washington.

Barbara was proceeded in death by her parents, Willie Mel McDaniel and Leveltus McDaniel Carter, her twin brother Billy Joe, both paternal and maternal grandparents and two brothers Clifford McDaniel and Henry Mel McDaniel.

Evangelist Barbara will be affectionately remembered by many friends, neighbors, relatives and missed by all.

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

Wordless Wednesday Willie Scott and Doll

Willie Scott and his first wife Doll
Willie was the son of Frank Scott and Mary Lou McDaniel.
Willie was born in Feb 1930, died in Nov 2008.

Willie was my mother's half second cousin.

Photograph courtesy of Nathaniel Thomas.

Wedding Wednesday Anthony and Bettie 1961

Anthony and Bettie McDaniel Neal cutting the cake at their wedding party,
18 March 1961, in Phoenix, Illinois.

Photograph courtesy of Anthony and Bettie.

Wordless Wednesday Frankie Ruth Gaulden McDaniel circa 1945

Frankie Ruth Gaulden
Born 1924 in Natchez, Adams County, MS
Daughter of Frank Gaulden, Jr. & Marie Boyd
Wife of Feltus McDaniel
Died in Charleston, IL around 1952/3

Photograph courtesy of Anthony Neal, Sr. Frankie was a cousin of Anthony's wife Bettie McDaniel Neal.

Amanuensis Monday Ellis Freeman - Traffic Death

Hit and Run Truck Sought after Fatal Accident to Negro

Ellis Freeman, 71, negro janitor with the Mississippi Baptist Board for the past 27 years was fatally injured early Tuesday morning when struck by a hit and run truck.

Freeman was discovered lying on the ground at North Mill and Fortification streets by police who had been summoned to the scene. Although completely paralyzed and bleeding severely, Freeman was able to give police a few details of the accident.

He said he was en route to work when a truck driven by a negro and occupied by several negroes came along, hitting him. He was knocked to the ground and the wheels of the truck passed over his body.

The truck did not stop but drove away hurriedly. The injured negro was rushed to a local hospital where he died a few hours later. The truck had no tail light and a tarpaulin arched over the back.

Freeman's home is at 173 West Fortification Street and his death was the fourth traffic fatality for the city this year.

Ellis was the son of Pat Freeman and Sophia Irving/Irwin
Husband of Ellen McDaniel
Father of Cora, Daisy, Barbara, Garfield, James, Douglas, Susanna, Luberta, Estell, and Mandy
Per census records, he was born about 1862, likely near Caseyville, then Copiah County, MS

Ellis was a relative of cousins.

Article from Jackson Daily News
September 25, 1945

In Remembrance Jimmie Leola McDaniel Sanders

03 Dec 1920 - 20 Dec 2012
Daughter of Preston McDaniel and Revella Ephraim
Wife of Paris Sanders, Sr
Mother of Paris, Jr and Velma Lee

Photographs Courtesy of Anthony Neal, Sr

A Tribute To A Wonderful Cousin
Lovingly called
"Aunt Jimmie"

God saw that you were getting tired, so he softly said it was time for the day that your precious soul would begin it’s heavenly flight to that great promise land beyond the sky. We always knew that this day would come, the day we all would have to say goodbye, the day of your home going. Our hearts are heavy with grief because it hurts so deeply. We never ever imagine it would feel this way. We will truly miss all the great stories that you would tell us about our many relatives, friends, acquaintances and many family incidents that took place in Mississippi, Illinois, Michigan and California. You were always there for us when we needed family information and we will be eternally grateful. But, through all our remorse and sadness, we know we are not alone, for you will always be deeply entrenched within our hearts and mind, and we will forever hold tightly to those precious moments and memories. For when our day shall finally come, the day when we all shall meet again, we know you’ll be waiting for us with arms wide open, to welcome us to our wonderful new Heavenly home.

WE Love You, Aunt Jimmie
Tony and Bettie McDaniel-Neal

Mr and Mrs Anding

This probably was not a planned photograph. They look as though they tolerated the photographer. It is lovely to have their images to put with their familiar names.

Leonteen Coleman Anding
1895-1965
Daughter of James Coleman and Mary Ann Markham

Walter McDaniel Anding
1893-1962
Son of Steve Anding and Eliza McDaniel

Photograph Courtesy of Lisa Lee
Photograph taken about 1959.
Leonteen was my mother's 1st cousin once removed.

Wedding WednesdayBridesmaid Jimmie Leola McDaniel Sanders

Jimmie Leola McDaniel Sanders
Bridesmaid at Sister's Wedding
b. 1921 - Living
Daughter of Preston McDaniel and Revella Ephraim
Wife of Paris Sanders, Sr
Mother of Paris, Jr and Velma Lee

Groomsman, Mr. Jones

Photograph Courtesy of Anthony Neal, Sr

Wordless Wednesday - McDaniel Sisters circa 1945

Sisters Bettie Jean and Elnora McDaniel

Maternal cousins married into Bettie and Elnora's family.

Photograph courtesy of Anthony Neal, Bettie's husband.

Wordless Wednesday Mary Lou McDaniel Scott circa 1958

1902-1982
Daughter of Preston and Revella Ephraim McDaniel
Wife of Frank Scott
Mother of Paul, Jurlean, Annie Mae, Geneva, Willie, and Robert

Mary Lou married my mother's 1st cousin once removed.

Miss Martha's Age

Lets keep it between you, me and the gatepost, Miss Martha Bryant is much older than her death certificate claims. She or a member of her household was consistent about her age until her last census in 1910 shaved off a few years. Saying she was 50 something may have been a little difficult for Miss Martha. The conspiracy to keep her younger continued with her death when her age was reduced another 4 years.

In 1870, she was 16 - born about 1854
In 1880, she was 24 - born about 1856
In 1900, she was 45 - born about 1855
In 1910, she was 49 - born about 1861

The 1919 death certificate gives her birth year as 1865.

















I know that the 1854 birth year is closer to accurate, here is why. Martha is named on the 1857 deed of gift of her family's slave owner John McDaniel along with her mother and brother Robert "Bob".

This Indenture and Deed of Gift made and entered into on this the 12th day of November 1857 by John McDaniel of the county of Franklin in the State of Mississippi witness That for and in consideration of the natural love and affection I have for and bear to my son James H. McDaniel...I Give, Grant and Deed...ELIZABETH a woman & child BOB a boy, MARTHA a girl

Elizabeth and her child Bob were grouped as a pair, Bob would not be separated from Elizabeth because he was too young and needed the direct care of his mother. Martha was older than Bob. I guess Martha is a girl of 4-5 years of age and her brother Bob is probably 2-3 years of age since he was not described as an infant, thus Martha was likely born about 1853-1855.

Martha Bryant was the daughter of John and Elizabeth Bryant, born in Franklin County, Mississippi. After the Civil War, she went to Natchez to live near a sister to attend school. She returned to Jefferson County to live with her mother. She never married nor had children. She remained with her mother and nursed her during her last illness. Martha's mother willed her the 80 acres of land the family purchased for $12 and a bale of cotton. Martha went with family to Bogalusa, Louisiana, a thriving timber industry town. She died there 18 Jan 1919. Her nephew Bryant Coleman was her informant.

John and Elizabeth's descendants married members of my maternal family.

John McDaniel owned 28 slaves in 1850, and he owned 38 slaves in 1860 per the slave schedules of Franklin County, MS.

SOURCES
Federal Census Records
Granville Cox's Federal Military Pension Records
Elizabeth Bryant's Will - Jefferson County Chancery Court Case Number: 1543 - Microfilm Number: 12263
John McDaniel's 1857 Deed of Gift
Will and deed of gift found at Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

More Women in Hats

Cousin Bettie McDaniel Neal
Cousin Sadie Havard McDaniel
Ruby Young Hunter
Mary Coleman & Miss Willis

Neal and McDaniel photographs are courtesy of Anthony Neal, Sr.
Hunter and Coleman photographs are courtesy of Christi Young.

Take another look at Women and Hats.