Monroe's ChildrenSamuel & David Markham - Child 13 and 14Samuel 1898-1981David 1898-1898

Samuel David Markham, Sr.

Samuel and David Markham were the first set of twins born to Monroe and his wife Mary. The boys were the couple's 13th and 14th child, the last sons born to them. They were born on 04 Oct 1898 in Caseyville, a rural community in Lincoln County, Mississippi. David died shortly after birth and the couple decided to combine the names of their sons for the surviving son, Samuel David would be his name. The census records show he like the rest of Monroe's children could read and write.

He married Rosanna Thomas, daughter of Alex Thomas and Roxanne Smith, in 1922.

Monroe maintained a relationship with the David Buie family until his death in 1931. David Buie was the Markham's family enslaver. Monroe b. 1852 was given to Prentiss Buie b. 1850 when they were both young children.

Hallie Buie, Prentiss Buie's daughter, shared this> about Samuel in a 1936 letter she wrote to her sister Prential.

The Old Home
July 21, 1936

My Dear Prential,
The box came alright, thank you. I know you are wondering how I get things done. Well, I have found out that is all right for Samuel Markham to come down here, he has a corn field rented from Estelle and comes to get their corn to have ground. I just don’t know what they could do without him. I hope you will not mention this--he has a mailbox and if we need him for anything we drop him a card and he comes right over. He lives on the Adams place. His house is located about a mile from this one. He charges ten cents for bringing things from Mr. Smith’s and twenty cents from Lamar’s, charges for the time and not the size of the package, large or small the same price, he certainly is nice about it. He just happened to come along the day the box came. he said, “Dat box aint hebby.”

Samuel and his wife Rosanna had four children. Their first child, an unnamed daughter, was born prematurely and died one day after her birth in 1923. Jessie Mae was born in 1925, Velma "China" in 1928, and Samuel David Jr., in 1932.

Samuel was a farmer who eventually owned his own land, which remains in his family.

Samuel died on 02 Jul 1981 in Brookhaven, Mississippi.

Samuel David Markham married Rosanna Thomas

 

The Semi Weekly Leader Newspaper, 11 Feb 1922

Pictured above is Samuel David Markham, and his wife Rosanna with daughter Jessie Mae. Samuel and Rosanna were married, 9 Feb 1922, in Lincoln County, Mississippi. 

Samuel and my grandmother Alice Markham Marshall were siblings.

The Ladies of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church

First Row: Ms. Pinkie Wilson, Mrs. Gladys Winston, Mrs. Addie Mae Cameron Tillman, Mrs. Edna Pinkney, Mrs. Durr (my paternal cousin's wife), Mrs. Frances Stanton, and Mrs. Beatrice Markham Johnson (my maternal grand aunt).

Second Row: Mrs. Lisann Durr Roundtree (my paternal cousin), Mrs. Beulah Ann Williams, Mrs. Lula Mae Thomas, Mrs. Annie Mae Manson, Mrs. Martina Barton, Mrs. Willie Mae Thomas, and Mrs. Emma Jane Winston.

Third Row: Ms. Cora Bell Benson and Mrs. Edith Lee Washington

"This is a photo of the Women's Missionary Society of Bethel AME Church. The photo was taken for a Souvenir Journal to host the 1968 Annual Conference of the Mississippi Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church." Dexter Holloway

The church is located in Brookhaven, Mississippi.

Photo Courtsey of Dexter Holloway

Samuel Markham and Family circa 1926

Rosanna Thomas Markham, Samuel Markham and infant Jessie Mae

Samuel was the 13th child of sixteen, last son born to Monroe Markham and Mary Byrd. He was born 04 Oct 1898 in Caseyville, a rural community in Lincoln County, Mississippi. He married Rosanna Thomas, daughter of Alex Thomas and Roxanne Smith, in 1922.

Hallie Buie shared a tidbit about Samuel in a 1936 letter she wrote to her sister Prential. Hallie and Prential were the daughters of Prentiss Buie who would have been the family's last slave owner if the Civil War had been won by the South.

I have found out that is all right for Samuel Markham to come down here, he has a corn field rented from Estelle and comes to get their corn to have ground. I just don’t know what they could do without him. I hope you will not mention this--he has a mail box and if we need him for anything we drop him a card and he comes right over. He lives on the Adams place. His house is located about a mile from this one. He charges ten cents for bringing things from Mr. Smith’s and twenty cents from Lamar’s, charges for the time and not the size of the package, large or small the same price, he certainly is nice about it. He just happened to come along the day the box came. he said, "Dat box aint hebby."

Samuel and Rosanna's families have been in the Caseyville area since the early 1830s. Rosanna's grandfather, George Thomas, served with the 58th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry, during the War.

Two additional children were born to this union, Velma "China" and Samuel, Jr.

Samuel was a farmer who eventually owned his own land, which remains in his family.

Rosanna died in 1966, Samuel in 1981, and Jessie Mae in 2006.

How does Samuel Markham connect to my family tree?
Samuel Markham was a brother to my maternal grandmother, Alice Markham Marshall.

Photograph Courtesy of Rance Brown and Anita Christopher

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.

Ann and Henry They Survived

Henry's Daughter, Narcissus Israel Wooley
1866-1938

In May 1837, four months old Henry Israel and his 16 year old mother Ann, arrived on the Buie Plantation in Caseyville, Lincoln County, MS. At the time of their arrival, David Buie, their owner was about 20 years old and unmarried. As an eligible bachelor, David was probably preparing for his future household and bride by purchasing a pair of slaves who would deliver years of service.

The Buie family arrived in the Natchez District between 1805-1810 from North Carolina. They left the Upper South where land was becoming scarce with the divisions of estates and their families began to look westward to the new Mississippi Territory where the land was available.

Reverend C. W. Grafton wrote of the early life around the area. "Everything was young, bright, fresh, and full of life and vigor. The country abounded in game and the streams in fish. The lowlands and sometimes the hills were covered with crane brakes. Farming was an easy matter at that day. Burn away the brakes and plant your corn and you would be sure of an harvest."

I have often wondered how slaves coped after they were sold. I remember reading that some of them felt being sold from place to place as a death. Those they left behind were dead to them.

Henry and Ann were members of a busy household. They helped a young couple realize their American dream. David Buie married Jane McLaurin in 1840, purchased acres of land and by 1850, he owned 30 slaves. The number of slaves held steady in 1860, 31 slaves. Henry, his mother Ann and her husband Jack Buie would be included in that number. Ann had several more children, some did not survive childhood.

Henry and Ann probably worked the fields and where ever needed.

The family did not sit passively when an opportunity to fight for freedom came. Henry's brother Perry Buie served with Company K, 58th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry. His mother described Perry as 5 feet 4 inches tall, heavy built, copper or "ginger cake" complexion, eyes black and rather large. Perry enlisted 27 Aug 1863, died 02 Oct 1863 of measles contracted in the service at Natchez.

George Thomas, Henry's sister Rhoda Buie's husband, enlisted September 18, 1864, in Company F, 58th Regiment Infantry. George at the age of 27 heard that General Grant had taken Vicksburg, left Natchez, traveled over sixty miles hiding in cane brakes and fields to reach Vicksburg and join the Yankees. George enlisted under the alias of George Washington and was discharged for disability May 10, 1865. After discharge, he returned to Caseyville, married Rhoda Buie and father at least 10 children.

Henry married Martha Ann Henderson, they eventually owned their own farm. Martha was likely a second wife. The 1870 census has Henry recorded at 31 years of age with wife Martha, 25 years of age. The children in the household were: Lily, 17; Phoebe, 10; Sarah Jane, 5; Narcissus, 4; and Martin, 2. They are living and working on the farm of David Buie. No one in the house can read. All the children are gone, in 1880, except Carey who was 12. Henry and Martha have only a nephew in the household with them in 1900. Henry is not found in 1910 and by 1920, Martha is a widow living in the household of her daughter Narcissus Wooley.

Ann died sometime in late 1896 or early 1897 as she was dropped from the pension rolls June 1897 for failure to claim pension. Henry died between 1900-1920.

Ann and Henry survived slavery, lived several decades in freedom. They have many descendants, some of which are my cousins.

Henry's children married:
Sarah Jane Israel married Joe Buie
Narcissus Israel married Melvin Wooley
Martin Israel married Mary Thompson
Carey Israel married Celia Culver
Lily and Phoebe's spouses are unknown.

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.

George and Rhoda's Daughters

Annie and Mary Thomas

Annie and Mary Delphia Thomas were born during the 1890s to George and Rhoda Buie Thomas near Caseyville, Lincoln County, MS. Rhoda died between 1896-1898 when her daughters were young, leaving them to be raised by their father and his kin. Annie married William Hooker. Their son James Edward became the first African American sheriff in Lincoln County, MS. Mary went to Louisiana and the family lost contact with her.

Photograph Courtesy of James E Scott

How do the sisters connect to my family?
Their brother Alex Thomas married Roxanne Smith.
Alex and Roxanne's daughter Ida May Thomas married my first cousin once removed James Monroe Markham.
Alex and Roxanne's daughter Rosanna Thomas married my granduncle Samuel David Markham

.

Lincoln County's First Black Sheriff

James Edward Hooker aka J. E. Hooker was born in Lincoln County, MS, on 04 Dec 1918, to William Hooker and Annie Thomas. He was the grandson of Civil War veteran George Thomas. He married Farrie Smith. The couple's children were: William, Johnson, Charles, Ella, Mary, and Elease.

He retired from the Lincoln County Sheriff Department after serving 20 years as the first black sheriff for the county.

J. E. died 12 Aug 2002, buried in Scott Cemetery, Caseyville, MS.

Photograph Courtesy of Nathaniel Thomas

Henry "Jack" William Driggs 1874-1962

Jack's family members used the surnames Driggs and Griggs. Jack always used Driggs. He was the son of Gilbert Griggs & Martha Jane Godbold Roundtree, born about 1874 in Caseyville, Lincoln County, MS. Gilbert & Martha were never married. Jack was born during Gilbert marriage to his wife Emily.

Jack's siblings from his father side were: Cynthia, Emily, Easter, Mariah, Isom, Abram, Lavena, Claressa, and Boston Griggs.

From Jack's mother, his siblings were Mary Goodwin Howard, Emma, Pinkney, Ada, Annie/Annis, Rufus, Henderson, Laura, Louisa, Patsy Coleman Hooker, and Mittie.

He was employed as a hod carrier, which was a laborer employed in carrying supplies to bricklayers, stonemasons, cement finishers, or plasterers on the job.

Betty Blue was Jack's wife. The relationship produced one son, Leroy. Henry died September 14, 1862 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

How does Jack connect to my family?
Jack's sister Patsy Coleman Hooker's daughter
Roxanne Smith married Alex Thomas.
Alex and Roxanne's daughter
Ida Mae Thomas married James Monroe Markham, my 1st cousin once removed.
Alex and Roxanne's daughter
Rosanna Thomas married Samuel David Markham, Sr., my granduncle.

Jack's sister Mary Goodwin Howard was a sister-in-law to my grandaunt
Alice Marshall Goodwin.

Picture and obituary provided by Christi Young

Patsy Coleman Hooker's Headstone
Double and Quadruple Cousins
Sickly Felix
James Monroe Markham
Sunday Obituary of Rosanna Thomas Markham

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

Afro Saturday - Dorothy Thomas

Dorothy Thomas
Daughter of Shelby Thomas and Katie Hubbard
Born 1941 in Caseyville, Lincoln County, MS
Currently lives in New York

Shelby Thomas' sister Ida May Thomas married my cousin James Monroe Markham
Shelby Thomas' sister Rosanna Thomas married my granduncle Samuel David Markham.

Picture courtesy of Tony Neal, Sr.

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.

Sunday Obituary Roseanna Thomas Markham 1899-1966

Photograph Courtesy of Nathaniel Thomas

Mrs. Rosie Anna Thomas Markham was born in Lincoln County, Mississippi, August 20 1899. She was the daughter of the late Mr. & Mrs Alex Thomas.

She became a member of Zion Chapel AME Church at an early age.

In 1922, she was married to Mr. Samuel D. Markham - to this union three children were born, one son, and two daughters.

She departed this life on Saturday, - February 5, 1966 at 1:30 AM at the King's Daughters Hospital. She leaves to mourn her passing - a husband, two daughters, one son, six brothers, four sisters, eight grandchildren, and a host of relatives and friends.

Obituary from the collection of Velma and Robin Diane Hunter

Amanuensis Monday Name Confusion

George Washington aka George Thomas
1837-1912

George Washington aka George Thomas had several difficulties getting approval to receive a pension for service during the Civil War. One of his problems was he had a common name, George Washington. Seven men had the exact same name who served with the same regiment as this George, 58th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry. A civilian who worked for the 58th, USCI, also had the same name. Here is one of George's depositions concerning the name confusion.

Deposition A in Case of George Washington
January 15 1890
Brookhaven, Lincoln County, Miss

I was born in Copiah Co, Miss near the Jefferson County line. My owner was Bill Brown. He was the only owner I ever had. I lived on his place till I went to Natchez & then to Vicksburg. I joined the army at Vicksburg & was discharged at Natchez.

I have heard you explain about that Geo Washington who claims on my service. I don't know him that man & never saw or heard of him. He is a fraud. I have no picture of myself. I had no nickname in service at all. I was clean shaved all the way through the army. I was never in the army but about 8 or 9 months in all. I was never in but two fights in service, one about 12 miles from Woodville & the other was on Bingham's Branch out from Natchez. At the last fight a man named of our Co named Sampson Martin was killed.

Yes, I use to know of a Gilbert Buoy in Jefferson Co, Miss. He is dead. He lived near Union Church & 8 miles from my owner. Yes, he owned a slave named Geo Washington born & raised on the place. He was younger than me. I knew that other Geo Washington before the war. His mistress was my master's sister. No, he was never in my Co at all. He ran away from Gilbert Buoy a long time after I enlisted. He came to Natchez & was put to driving a commissary wagon in the wagon train. I well knew him and saw him often. I am positive he was never an enlisted man at all. He never did a thing but drive the post team. He never came back to Union Church after the war & I never have seen or heard of him since I was discharged.

Yes, he had a wife. Her name was Susie. He married her before the war. Then when he was driving wagon at Natchez he had a woman named Mary.

The father of that other Geo Washington was named Peter Baker. The Geo Washington that lived at Buoy's before the war & that wagoned(sp) at Natchez was not the same man that was in Capt Picks Co 58th Regt as Geo Washington

George his x mark Washington

George Washington served with Company F, 58th Regiment, United States Colored Infantry. He enlisted 08 Sept 1864 in Vicksburg, discharged 10 May 1865 in Natchez.

George's father was named Thomas Buie. After the War, he decided to use the name George Thomas. He married Rhoda Buie and had several children near Caseyville, MS. Many of George's descendants married into my Markham family.

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.

Double and Quadruple Cousins

Many people from small town USA with a long history in an area discover they are related on more than one branch of their family trees, which is the way it is with many of my cousins from Caseyville, MS. The Coleman, Markham, Scott and Thomas families intermarried.

Jessie Mae Markham and Nathaniel Thomas are double related. They are half 1st cousins and half second cousins once removed.

They share a common grandfather, Alex Thomas born about 1872, which makes them half first cousins. Alex had two wives; Louizer Coleman who is Nate's grandmother, and Roxanne Smith who is Jessie Mae's grandmother.

James Markham b. 1831, is Jessie Mae's great grandfather, and he is Nathaniel's 2nd great grandfather. James' wife Marilda Whitney is Jessie Mae's great grandmother; James' wife Jane McCray is Nathaniel's 2nd great grandmother. This connection makes them half second cousins once removed.

Felix James Markham is double related to Jessie Mae through their Markham and Thomas lines. Felix is a half 1st cousin and a 1st cousin once removed.

Nathaniel is quadruple related to Felix through their Coleman (twice), Markham and Thomas lines. Felix is a half 1st cousin, half 3rd cousin, 3rd cousin once removed, and half 4th cousin to Nathaniel.

Whew! Thank you familytreemaker.