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.

Sunday's Obituary - T. C. Coleman

Mr. T. C. Coleman departed this life Sunday February 5, 1989, at Kings Daughters Hospital, Brookhaven, Mississippi.

He was born October 26, 1908 in Lincoln County, Mississippi and attended the Lincoln County Public Schools

Boomie, as he was known to his many relatives and friends, served during World War II in the U.S. Army from 1942 to 1945.

At an early age he united with the New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as Church Clerk for a number of years and Chairman of the Deacon Board. He attended services regularly until his health began to fail.

Boomie retired from Escambia Wood Treating Co., Brookhaven, Mississippi.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Luther and Eddie Roberts Coleman and one brother, George Coleman.

He leaves to cherish his memory one son, Mr. Jimmie Coleman of Brookhaven, MS; Three daughters, Mrs. Belinda Irvin of Wesson, MS; Mrs. Brenda Coleman of Baton Rouge, LA; Mrs. Gwendolyn Gayle Kennedy of Houston, TX; Two sisters, Mrs. Lula Mae Jackson of Bogalusa, LA and Mrs. Amy V. Beard of Brookhaven, MS; Two sons in law, Bruce Irvin and Lee Kennedy; one brother in law, Louis Beard; Eight grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Madness Monday - Killed his Sister
Madness Monday - Killed his Sister - Part 2
Madness Monday - Killed his Sister - Part 3

Madness Monday - Killed His Sister - Part Three

Part One
Part Two

My primary research goal for this family was to find the names of the family in the 1918 newspaper article. Once the true surname was found, finding the family’s documents became easier and the goal of learning their names was accomplished. Finding the documents still leaves me wanting more, the whys, the what ifs, and the wheres. I would like to know why Luther is not found in the 1920 and 1930 census. Did he move, did he avoid the enumerator, did he die? Why the family is not seen as an intact family in the census records? Were things falling apart before the daughter's death? Did the family reunite after the grandmother’s death? Did healing occur within the family?

Hopefully, I will meet with descendants of this family and we can talk of our common ancestry.

Timeline for the Family
Luther Coleman married Eddie Roberts 24 Dec 1905 in Lincoln County, MS.

First child Lula Mae Coleman born 08 Nov 1906
Second child T. C. “Boommie” Coleman born 1908

A 1910 census record for the family was not found.

Third child George Coleman born 01 Jan 1911
Fourth child S. A. Coleman b. 1913
Fifth child Amy V. Coleman b. 20 Sep 1915
Sixth child Willie Coleman b. 18 Jan 1918

The family lost two children in 1918.
Willie Coleman died 19 Jan 1918, premature birth.
S. A. Coleman murdered by brother 21 July 1918.

Luther Coleman, father of the children, registered for WW1, 12 Sep 1918. He named his mother Amie Coleman as his nearest relative, not his wife.

1920 Census – Eddie Coleman, mother of the children, is living with her mother Sallie Smith, and their father Luther was not found. Children, T. C., Lula and George were living with their paternal grandmother Amie Markham Coleman.

The 1920 census was recorded 04 February 1920. Amy Coleman, the children’s grandmother died one month later on 04 Mar 1920.

1930 Census - Eddie Roberts is living in Lincoln County with two of her daughters, Lula, 19, and Amy, 13.

Per their obituaries, all the children with the exception of George who moved to Texas remained in Lincoln County, MS.