Nite on the Town

We all need a space to relax away the responsibilities of a work week.

1950's Chicago Style with Cousin Sarah Green in the middle.

Dressed for a Chicago night on the town with Cousin Willie Scott and his date.

Men and their Overalls

Overalls were the uniform of southern farmers, and elsewhere.

Aunt Ada Markham Spencer and her husband Ernest (1881-1971)
Ernest was a farmer in Copiah County, Mississippi.
He was the son of Lewis Spencer and Emaline/Emma Smiley.

Cousin Sam Baker (1927-2009) of Brookhaven, MS
He was the son of Gilbert Baker and Nannie Benson.

Cousin John Henry Jordan (1900-1991) and his wife Frances Davis
He was a farmer in Copiah County, MS.
He was the son of William Burl Jordan and Mariah McGrew.

Cousin James Pearly Scott, Jr (1900-1992)
Farmer in Caseyville, Lincoln County, MS
Son of James Pearly Scott and Catherine Markham

Photographs courtesy of Anita Christopher and Rance Brown
Cory Broadnax
Shawnmarie Jordan Gonzalez
and James Earl Scott

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

Sunday Obituary Geneva Scott Smith 1928-2015

Geneva Smith, 88, of Grand Rapids went to be with her Lord on Sunday, November 22, 2015. She will be lovingly remembered by her children Lula Faye Smith, Lois (David) Foster, Doris Smith and Brenda Smith Cunningham, son Charles Smith; thirteen grandchildren, forty one great-grandchildren, a host of family and friends.

How does she connect to my family tree?
Geneva was the daughter of Frank Scott and Mary Lou McDaniel
Frank Scott was the son of James Pearly Scott and Catherine M Markham
Catherine Markham Scott and my great grandfather, Monroe Markham, were siblings.

Sunday Obituary Maggie Lean Smith 1927-2015

Maggie Lean Scott was born on December 26, 1927, in Caseyville, Lincoln County, Mississippi. She was the first born child of Rev Perlie Scott and Fannie Thomas Scott. Zion Chapel AME Church was where the family worshiped. The church also served as one of the elementary schools of the community. As a rural farming area, Caseyville children could only go so far educationally. In her early years, the family joined the Triumph Holiness Church where her father became a minster and later the pastor.

At the age of 16, she married her childhood friend and neighbor, Robert Lee Smith. She recounted that as they played together as little children, Robert would pull her hair and say to her, "When we get grown, I'm gonna marry you." After marriage, they moved 40 miles away to Natchez, Mississippi, where they lived, worked and purchased a home. Maggie worked as a domestic housekeeper and cooked at a local restaurant while Robert worked at a mill. No children were born to this union, but many sisters, nieces and nephews "married out of their house." They were a couple who totally loved, honored and took care of each other. They ere friends from childhood to the end.

In 1953, Robert and Maggie moved from Natchez to Racine, Wisconsin, where they lived and worked until moving to Chicago. In the Windy City, Maggie worked at various jobs in the shoe and garment industries. Later she worked at Allied Radio and then at the Mason Elementary School (Chicago Public Schools) from which she retired.

In 1954, Maggie joined Holy Temple Church of God in Christ under the pastorate of Bishop E Lenox. She served the congregation in many capacities including kitchen coordinator and chairperson of the beautifying committee. Sister Maggie, as she was called, was also instrumental in the establishment of a fund to assist and aid assistant pastor, Elder Ardail Allen, who was gravely ill, and his family. This support continued several years after his death.

Sister Smith remained active and loyal to the church throughout the ministries of Pastor James E Lenox and Pastor Lamont Lenox. While unable to regularly attend church services due to illness in the last few years of her life, she continued to faithfully pay her tithes and fervently pray for her pastor and the entire congregation.

One of her greatest passion was working in her community on Chicago's west side. She served as the President of the 4200 West Cullerton Block Club Council. As a dedicated community activist, she initiated and participated in countless activities ti improve her neighborhood and beyond. Maggie Smith worked diligently for the campaign to elect her godson, the later Alderman Jessie Miller to the Chicago City Council. Her heartfelt love and concern for family, church, and community was evident in her words, thoughts and deeds. Her loving presence will bee missed.

Maggie was preceded in death by her loving husband, Robert Lee Smith; parents, Rev Perlie Scott and Fannie Thomas Scott; her sister, Pearlean Williams; grandson, James E Scott, Jr, and her brother, Jimmy Scott. She was called home to be with the Lord on Sunday, August 30, 2015 around 6pm leaving to cherish and carry her legacy: loving son, Elder James E Scott, Sr (Loretta); two granddaughters, Caretta and Ashley Scott; great granddaughter, Ruth Scott; three sisters, Gladys Fulton (Chicago), Margie R Alston (Chicago), and Fanny Mae Bracey (Brookhaven, Mississippi); one brother, Cent Elmer Scott (Kansas City, Kansas); godchildren, Jure Mae Blakley (California), Cyrus Mitchell (Natchez, Mississippi), Martin Luther McNair (Indiana), Yvette Wilson (Savannah, Georgia), Ruth Rice (Chicago); The Greater Holy Temple Love Family and a host of other relatives and friends.

How does Maggie connect to my family tree?
Maggie's father was James Pearlie Scott, Jr.
James Pearlie was the son of James Pearlie Scott, Sr., and Catherine Markham.
Catherine Markham Scott and my great grandfather, Monroe Markham, were siblings.
Maggie was my maternal 2nd cousin 1x removed.

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

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 Fannie Scott and Daughters

Fannie Thomas Scott and her daughters: Pearline, Fannie, Gladys, and Margie.
Photograph taken during the late 1940s or early 1950s.
Lincoln County, Mississippi

How are they related to me?
The daughters' father James Pearly Scott, Jr., was the son of James Pearly Scott and Catherine Matilda Markham.
Catherine and my great grandfather Monroe Markham were siblings.
The daughters and I are second cousins once removed.

Photograph courtesy of James Scott, Fannie's grandson.

Family Love Grandfather & Granddaughter

Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves. I Corinthians 13

Frank Scott was the grandfather of Lorraine Thomas Bolton.
Frank was the son of James Pearlie Scott and Catherine Matilda Markham
Lorraine is the daughter of Nathaniel Thomas, Sr., and Annie Mae Scott.

Both are my maternal cousins.

Photograph courtesy of Nathaniel Thomas, Jr.

Wordless Wednesday James Pearlie Scott, Jr.

1900-1992
Farmer, Preacher
Son of James Pearlie Scott, Sr., and Catherine Matilda Markham
Husband of Fannie Thomas
Father of Magdalene, Pearlean, William, Fannie, Gladys, and Maggie

How does Pearlie connect to my family?
His mother Catherine Matilda Markham Scott, and my great grandfather Monroe Markham were siblings.

Photograph courtesy of James Earl Scott, Pearlie's grandson.

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

My Cousin, His Cousin

James Earl Scott and Tom Isaac

Cousin - Offspring of an uncle or aunt. A cousin is a relative with whom a person shares one or more common ancestors. Wikipedia

James Earl is my cousin and Tom is James cousin but Tom is not my cousin.

How is James related to me?
We share a gg grandparent, James Markham, which makes us third cousins.
James great grandmother Catherine Matilda Markham Scott, and my great grandfather Monroe Markham were siblings.
We are related through our maternal sides.

How is James related to Tom?
James' gg grandparents, Franklin Scott and Sallie Coleman, are the great grandparents of Tom Isaac, which makes them second cousins once removed.
They are related through their maternal sides.

Photograph courtesy of Nathaniel Thomas

Wordless Wednesday Crossley Siblings

James Pearly "J. P." Crossley and his sister Mazie Crossley Robinson
Their parents were Nathaniel Crossley, Jr., and Estelle Scott.

How do the siblings connect to my family tree?
The siblings' mother was Estelle Scott.
Estelle Scott's parents were James Pearly Scott, Sr., and Catherine Matilda Markham.
Catherine Markham was the sister of Monroe Markham, my great grandfather.

Estella Scott Crossley's Obituary
Nathaniel Crossley Sr's Obituary
Catherine Markham Scott's Headstone

Photograph Courtesy of Nathaniel Thomas

Wordless Wednesday Snow Blowing

Cousin Nathaniel Thomas having fun in the snow near Joliet, IL.

Photograph Courtesy of Nathaniel Thomas, Jr

How does Nathaniel connect to my family tree?
Nathaniel Thomas, Sr., is the great grandson of James Pearly Scott and
Catherine Matilda Markham
Catherine is the sister of Monroe Markham, my great grandfather

Wordless Wednesday The Nathaniel Thomas Family circa 1960

Nathaniel, Jr., Annie Mae Scott Thomas, Lorraine, Martina, Zettie, Nathaniel Thomas, Sr., and Calvin Thomas, cousin to the family

Photograph courtesy of Nathaniel Thomas, Jr.
The children and I share the same 2nd great grandfather, James Markham.

The Banks Sisters One Dozen

L to R: Arcola Banks Green, Viola Banks Hilliard, Leola Banks Tillman, Beatrice Banks Thomas, Olivia Banks Young, and Joy Banks Hayes

There were twelve Bank sisters: Mattie Mae, Arcola, Viola, Leola, Beatrice, Mary, Odessa, Olivia, twins Archie Mae and Jannie Mae, Annie Lee, and Joy, born between 1908-1934. They were the daughters of Archie and Jannie Scott Banks of Lincoln County, MS.

I wonder if the sisters were labeled by people outside of the family and family members. Was one known as the smart one, the skinny one, the pretty one, the fat one, the fast one, the ugly one, the quite one, the silly one, the sweet one, the bookish one, the whatever one?

The Banks sisters are maternal cousins.
Photograph Courtesy of Nathaniel Thomas.

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.

Wordless Wednesday Nathaniel and Stephanie Thomas

Nathaniel, Jr., and wife Stephanie Thomas
Nathaniel is the son of Nathaniel, Sr., and Annie Scott Thomas

Nathaniel is my half third cousin.
We descend from James Markham, our 2nd great grandfather.

Calvin and Odessa Banks Lowe

Busy this afternoon looking at pictures Cousin Nate emailed me before the holidays. It was nice to see a picture of Cousin Odessa Banks, daughter of Archie and Janie Scott Banks. I had no idea who she married so it was an extra bonus to get a name and photo of her husband. His name, Calvin Lowe, was not on my family tree but his parents were, Robert Lowe and Dezine Kelly. Robert's siblings Fannie and John married into my extended family.

I do what I call community research but I think the correct name for it is cluster research, which is researching extended family members, friends and neighbors of direct relatives. The Lowe family was from Union Church, MS, a neighboring village to the family home place, Caseyville, MS. The Lowe families connected to my tree descend from Eveline Lowe born about 1830 in Virginia.

Cousin Odessa was born about 1927 which lead me to the 1930 and 1940 censuses searching for her husband. In 1930, Calvin was a 7 year old in the household of his parents with his siblings, Euniemay, Hudie Mann, Willis, Chalmers, Jessie May, and Marie. In 1940, everyone except Euniemay is still in the household. I found a family group sheet that a cousin sent confirming the names of Calvin's parents.

Calvin and Odessa married, adopted three children: Stephen, Vera and Christopher.

The Couple's Obituaries
1923-1987

1926-2001

Calvin is the son of Robert Lowe and Dezine Kelly
grandson of Lewis Lowe and Amanda Johnson, Calvin Kelly and Harriet Reed

Odessa is the daughter of Archie Banks and Jannie Scott
granddaughter of Joseph Banks and Mary ?, James Pearly Scott and Mary Viola Markham
Odessa is my mother's half 2nd cousin.

Photograph courtesy of Nathaniel Thomas.
Obituaries from Daily Leader Newspaper, Brookhaven, MS.

Advent Calendar - Day 11 - Other Traditions

First Posted December 11 2010

Uncle Scott's Christmas tradition was unusual because he was and is the only person I knew who did this during the holiday season. When he came to visit, before he knocked on the door he would call out Christmas gift in a loud voice. I don't remember him or anyone explaining the why he did this. A light bulb moment occurred while reading slave narratives. This tradition may have originated during slavery.

"At Christmas time the slave children all trouped to "de big house" and stood outside crying "Christmas gift" to their master and mistress." Amanda McCray of Florida

"If we could manage to say "Christmas gift" to any of the Master's family on Christmas morning before they spoke to us, they would have to give us a gift of some kind." Malinda Discus of Missouri

"De fust one what said Christmas gift ter anybody else got a gif', so of cou'se we all try ter ketch de marster." Charlie Barbour of North Carolina

Ernest Scott was born in 1897. He married my Dad's sister Rosie Lee Durr.
The photograph, taken in Hazlehurst, Mississippi, is from the personal collection of Georgia Wise. The lady in the photograph is unknown.