Archive for Barbour Co.

Effects of Slavery on the White Population

According to a citizen of Eufaula

 

ITEM #22972
October 17, 1850
THE NATIONAL ERA
Washington, D.C., Vol.
IV No. 198 p. 166
 

THE DESPOTISM OF SLAVERY. 

We had occasion to comment lately upon the bondage imposed by the Slave Power upon the white race in the South – referring to a recent attempt by the people of Eufaula, Alabama, to eject one of their own citizens, not because he was an abolitionist, but because he was a subscriber to the National Era, in which we had published an extract of a letter received from his, (but not intended for publication) speaking of the injurious effects of slavery on the white population. The sentiments were truthful, but moderate; the language was kind and unexceptionable, and it was written by a man born and raised in the South. But Slavery took offence and demanded his expulsion.

The principal mischief-maker in the case was the postmaster at Eufaula. He wrote us a note, stating that he had refused to deliver the copy of the Era, Read the rest of this entry »

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“Southern Man with Northern Feelings”

Captain Elisha Betts Ordered to Leave Eufaula

ITEM #22901
October 3, 1850

THE NATIONAL ERA
Washington, D.C., Vol. IV No. 196 p. 158

THE SLAVERY OF THE WHITE RACE IN THE SOUTH.

The Slavery of the white race in many parts of the South is as ignominious, if not as cruel, as that of the blacks. The following is from the Southern Press, which seems to sympathize with Lynch Law as the proper remedy for Freedom of opinions:
“We find the following account of a ‘summary process’ case, in the Columbus Times. The climate of Georgia is getting uncomfortably warm for Southern men with Northern feelings. – Southern Press.


“NOTICE TO QUIT. – ‘At a large public meeting at Eufaula, Ala., last week, one Captain Elisha Betts, of that place, was ordered to leave on short notice – he having been discovered as the author of an abolition communication from that city to the Washington Era, abolition paper. Read the rest of this entry »

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Elijah & Becky Davis

My Davis ancestors can be traced back to the 1870 Population Census for Barbour County, Alabama.  On this census, Elijah is listed as 54 years of age, which would indicate that he was born circa 1816. The census further lists Georgia as his birthplace.  Although Georgia is listed as Elijah’s place of birth, various family members have stated they heard that he came from the West Indies.

The slave trade with Africa was supposedly abolished in 1808; however, we know this was too profitable a business for some as well as a way to provide free labor to wealthy farmers. As a result, traders continued to bring slaves into the country via Cuba and South America.

The unknown history of my ancestors generate many questions for me. Was Elijah a slave or free person of color? Was he sold into slavery in Africa and bought to the West Indies or was he born into slavery in the West Indies? Was he sold to a slave trader or to a plantation owner?  How did he get to the United States? Did he purchase his own freedom or was he manumitted? Did he become a free person with emancipation?

The 1870 census identifies Elijah’s wife as Becky, born in Virginia.  This information also raises many questions such as how and where did they meet? But most importantly how did they end up in Springhill, AL (Barbour County-Township 12 Range 28)?

Elijah and Becky had at least six children born in Alabama starting circa 1855. They were Margaret,  Laura, Henry, Sama, Charles, my great grandfather, and William. 

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201 in Eufaula Request Transport to Liberia

Below is a transcription of a letter found in The African Repository, the journal of the American Colonization Society. This was one of many sample letters to the ACS requesting transportation to Liberia. 

Eufaula, Ala., December 25, 1867.

We, the undersigned, colored people, take this method to inform you that we would like to embark in may, 1868, for Liberia, if we can be accommodated.  We request that you furnish us with free transportation from this place to Liberia.  We are all poor, and have not any money.

A E. Williams

and two hundred others, with their families.

 

I ordered a copy of the letter from the microfilm owned by the  Manuscript division of the Library of Congress.  The letter has additional information not contained in The African Repository.  This transcription will be the subject of another blog.

 

Source: American Colonization Society, The African Repository, {Washington: Colonization Society Building, 1868).  Volume XLIV-1868:121: digital image, Google Book Search, (http://books.google.com/books?as_brr=1&id=ZDUfaNo7HOgC&vid=LCCN05039691&dq=eufaula+alabama&jtp=178 :accessed 19 July 2006)

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On An Ancestral Journey

In 1992 if anyone had told me that I would spend the next thirteen years on an ancestral journey I would have laughed at them. Like everyone else in
America, I too had watched the 1976 movie Roots by Alex Haley. The movie caused me to experience many different emotions; however, none of them ignited a desire to follow in the footsteps of Mr. Haley. As a matter of fact, I probably did not think it was a possibility for the average person. 

I’m not sure what it is about one’s personality that draws them to the art of genealogy and family research because it can be tedious, discouraging, dirty and expensive.  However, it can also be full of surprises and very rewarding. Whatever the reason, there is a very strong desire to discover who your ancestors were and to share information about them that no one else knows.  You begin to wonder if you look like any of them, did you pick up any of their personalities or skills, and what were their lives like during their lifetimes.  Read the rest of this entry »

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From Eufaula, Alabama to Liberia

On 14 May 1868 the ship Golconda set sail from Savannah, Georgia.  Onboard were 39 Eufaula residents heading for Bexley, Grand Bassa County, Liberia.   According to letters received by the American Colonization Society (ACS), there were hundreds of African Americans from the Eufaula area requesting passage to Africa.  Below is a transcribed list of Eufaula emigrants originally published by the ACS in The African Repository. Read the rest of this entry »

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Finding Green Stanford

I fell in love with Green Stanford the first time that I found him in the census records.  He was 74 and living in the 1930 household with his son Will Stanford.  Family members did not talk about him so his name was new to me.  What a cool name, Green.  Because of his unique name, I was able to find his father, William Stanford, and trace the family back to 1870.

Green StanfordMy second Green surprise was finding his picture on the internet, the day that I was flying to Birmingham, AL to attend IGHR.  My cousin, whom I have never met, published the picture on the family web site.  Finding a photo is an amazing thing, especially when it is unexpected.  The eyes of Green, my 3x great grandfather staring back at me. Read the rest of this entry »

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William and Kitty Stanford of Barbour County

William Stanford is my oldest known Stanford ancestor.  Direct evidence of his vital information remains a mystery. Census records lead me to believe that he was born in the Carolinas about 1820 and died in Alabama between 1900 and 1910.  The 1870 census shows that most people with the Stanford surname, in Barbour county, over the age of 40, were born in the Carolinas.

The power of writing this blog about my 4x great grand father and divine intervention has shown me that I indeed have direct evidence.  I just found marriage evidence.  Folks, it is strange and delightfully overwhelming at the same time.  Here is the blow by blow: Read the rest of this entry »

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Craddocks Buried at Sandville Church

Up on a hill, off Route 431, in Barbour County, AL, there is a beautiful church called Sandville Baptist Church.  The grounds of the church and gravesite are immaculately kept.  During my first visit to this location I met the man on the mower, the one who takes care of the final resting place our ancestors.  Ever-busy cousin Lannie Stanford, almost went undetected, as his brother Earl walked me around genealogical heaven. 

Finally I was visiting the folks on the census and death records which I collected.  Here they are in real life.  At one time they walked these grounds and worship in church.  At one time family gathered to say goodbye.  Read the rest of this entry »

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Barbour County Marriage Book: The Missing “C”s

'Very early in my Barbour County research history I came across a book called Barbour County, Alabama Marriages Licenses 1838-1930, by Warrine Hathaway.  I had not visited Barbour county, so this was a great find.  Eagerly I flipped to the Introduction to ascertain the origin of this information.  Great, I thought, it comes from the courthouse as opposed to newspapers. Additionally it appears that Hathaway looked at the marriage license.  Wonderful, I thought.  Now I can pull the information on my ancestors and look for the licenses when I go to Alabama.

Well the day finally arrived; I was going to take my first trip to Alabama.  My research buddy Diane and I were seated on one of the last planes to leave Philadelphia on that March morning.  A massive snow storm was beginning to blanket the Delaware Valley.  We, however, were heading for the runway.  There was a brief delay to de-ice the plane, but soon we were airborne, looking down smiling, because we just made it out.  Read the rest of this entry »

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