Some previous Kilpatrick family blogs can be read here and here.
Balis Jackson Kilpatrick, born Aug. 2, 1796 in the Greenville district of South Carolina, married c1820 Mary E. Hunter, born Aug. 18, 1802 in Buncombe Co., NC. Together they had at least five children, all of whom married into North Carolina Coffey families. Balis died in Sep., 1872 and was buried at the Liberty community cemetery at Liberty in Cherokee Co., NC. See his memorial on Find-A-Grave for a discussion of his genealogy.
The children of Balis and Mary that I have found are:
Catherine, born Nov. 24, 1839 in Haywood Co., NC, died sometime between 1910 and 1920* at Shoal Creek in Cherokee Co., NC. Catherine married Levi Coffey, a son of Rice and Dorotha [sic] Jane Medaris Coffey c1852* in Cherokee Co.
Elias, born Oct. 9, 1832 in NC, died 1891 in Clay Co., NC. He married Sarah Jane "Sallie" Coffey, a daughter of John Morgan and Elizabeth Day Coffey, on May 25, 1865*** in Town Co., GA. Elias died in Clay Co. NC in 1891 and is buried at Old Brasstown Baptist Church cemetery in Young Harris, Towns Co. I have no death or burial info for Sarah Jane.
John Abner, born Nov., 1834 in NC, died Sep. 3, 1912 in Cherokee Co., NC. He married Dorotha [sic] A. Coffey, daughter of Rice and Dorotha Jane Medaris Coffey, in 1873.* He was close to 40 at the time of marriage and was likely married prior to Dorotha. She and John appeared in the 1870 census at Shoal Creek making the marriage year probably incorrect. Dorotha died on Nov. 29, 1922 and was buried at Shady Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Murphy, Cherokee Co., NC. John died in Sep., 1912 and is also buried there.
Balis Jackson, Jr., born Dec. 16, 1838 in NC, died in that state on Mar. 25, 1906. He is buried at Moss Cemetery in Marble Valley Twp., Cherokee Co. He married Elizabeth Coffey, a daughter of John Morgan and Elizabeth Day Coffey and sister to Sarah who married Elias, sometime in the early 1870's. Elizabeth was born Apr. 7, 1842 in Burke Co., NC and died in NC on Jan. 27, 1914. She is also buried at Moss.
Elijah, born Sep. 14, 1841 in Union Co., GA, died Jan. 6, 1910 in NC and buried at Liberty Community Cemetery at Liberty in Cherokee Co., NC. His first wife was Vina Jones.* He married second Mary Melinda "Polly" Coffey, daughter of Rice and Dorotha, on Sep. 6, 1877* in Shoal Creek. Polly died c1899.
The Balis Jackson discussion at Find-A-Grave makes the case that Elias and Elijah were twins, born Sep. 15, 1841 in Union Co., GA.
*Janine Ramsey, "Descendants of Rice Coffey," Janine Ramsey (jeders2@fuse.net)
(jaineology.com), Aug. 13, 2008.
**Miller, Diane Ramsey. "[Each Western NC county is represented]." Database.
Privately owned by Author. Western North Carolina Genealogy Resource
Center. http://www.goldenbranches.com/nc-state/westnc.html. The marriage date may be incorrect. The 1870 Shoal Creek, Cherokee Co., NC census places her (unmarried) in the household with her mother on July 23 of that year.
***Source needed
October 26, 2012
October 24, 2012
Degraffenreid & Coffey
There are Degraffenreid* families in Lawrence Co., AL and in Polk Co., MO who married Coffey women. I have connected the ladies but, I have not been able to connect their husbands.
In Moulton, Lawrence Co.,AL was the family of Orson Murray Degraffenreid, born Nov. 20, 1882 in Moulton. He married Mattie Edna Coffey, a daughter of Martin Van Buren and Orpha Jane Letson Coffey on Dec. 4, 1901 in Lawrence Co. Orson died Jan. 20, 1968 in Morgan Co., AL. Mattie Edna died on Mar. 27, 1936. Both are buried at Roselawn Gardens of Memory in Decatur, AL.
Together they had at least three children, all born in Lawrence Co.
Regena M., born May 6, 1909, died Mar. 11, 1973 in Morgan Co., AL. She married a Mr. Backus, no further info. Regena is buried at Roselawn Gardens.
Murray V., born Jun. 12, 1913, died Oct. 9, 1972 in Decatur. In the 1920 census he was enumerated as Harry V. He married a lady by the name of Katherine W. c1930 in AL. She was born Apr. 30, 1916 in that state and died in Decatur on Apr. 18, 1993. They too are buried at Roselawn. Their children - that I am aware of - were Douglas B., born 1933, died 2008 and R. Aron, born 1940, died 1987.
Theo, born Oct. 2, 1918, died Oct. 21, 1989. He married Lena Belle Lee on May 4, 1940 in Cullman, AL, the daughter of Robert E. Lee and Hattie Farris. Lena was born Sep. 13, 1919 in AL and died in Morgan Co. on Aug. 22, 2004. They too are buried at Roselawn.
Following Mattie's death, Orson married Florence Cartee, date unknown. I know of no children born to this union.
The Missouri Degraffenreid family that I am interested in was headed by Charles Cebert [sic] and wife Alta E. (Eugenia?, often referred to as Genie or Genia), the daughter of Thomas Cimean and Sarah Alice Combs Coffey. Orson's wife Mattie Edna and Alta's father were fourth cousins.
Charles was the eldest son of William E. and Julia Ann House Degraffenreid. Charles was born on Mar. 7, 1880 in Missouri - probably Polk Co. - and died Feb. 16, 1959 in Bolivar, Polk Co. Alta was born Jan. 1, 1885 in Polk Co., and died Sep. 29, 1978 in MO. Both are buried at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Aldrich.
He and Alta were married on Nov. 17, 1901 in Aldrich, Polk Co. For most of their lives they lived in or near Aldrich, Union Township where Alta gave birth to at least 12 children. In 1940 the family had relocated to Henry Co.
Their children, all born in Polk Co., were:
Fay, born c1903; Doris, born c1905; Nellie Maurine, born Sep. 17, 1905, died Dec. 20, 1921; Alline, born c1907, married a Mr. Stevens c1928 and was a childless widow living with her parents in 1930; Adrian, born c1909; Paul, born c1912; Lucille, born c1916; Ruth Florence, born c1918, Lee, born c1921; an unnamed male child born prematurely and died on May 29, 1922; Charles Wade, born Jul. 31, 1921, died Oct. 22, 2012 and, Billie Joe, born c1926.
Please contact me with corrections, additions or, if you can connect the Degraffenreid families.
*Surname also found as Degraffenried & de Graffenreid
In Moulton, Lawrence Co.,AL was the family of Orson Murray Degraffenreid, born Nov. 20, 1882 in Moulton. He married Mattie Edna Coffey, a daughter of Martin Van Buren and Orpha Jane Letson Coffey on Dec. 4, 1901 in Lawrence Co. Orson died Jan. 20, 1968 in Morgan Co., AL. Mattie Edna died on Mar. 27, 1936. Both are buried at Roselawn Gardens of Memory in Decatur, AL.
Together they had at least three children, all born in Lawrence Co.
Regena M., born May 6, 1909, died Mar. 11, 1973 in Morgan Co., AL. She married a Mr. Backus, no further info. Regena is buried at Roselawn Gardens.
 |
| Theo's Marriage Record |
Theo, born Oct. 2, 1918, died Oct. 21, 1989. He married Lena Belle Lee on May 4, 1940 in Cullman, AL, the daughter of Robert E. Lee and Hattie Farris. Lena was born Sep. 13, 1919 in AL and died in Morgan Co. on Aug. 22, 2004. They too are buried at Roselawn.
Following Mattie's death, Orson married Florence Cartee, date unknown. I know of no children born to this union.
The Missouri Degraffenreid family that I am interested in was headed by Charles Cebert [sic] and wife Alta E. (Eugenia?, often referred to as Genie or Genia), the daughter of Thomas Cimean and Sarah Alice Combs Coffey. Orson's wife Mattie Edna and Alta's father were fourth cousins.
Charles was the eldest son of William E. and Julia Ann House Degraffenreid. Charles was born on Mar. 7, 1880 in Missouri - probably Polk Co. - and died Feb. 16, 1959 in Bolivar, Polk Co. Alta was born Jan. 1, 1885 in Polk Co., and died Sep. 29, 1978 in MO. Both are buried at Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Aldrich.
 |
| Alta Coffey Marriage License |
Their children, all born in Polk Co., were:
Fay, born c1903; Doris, born c1905; Nellie Maurine, born Sep. 17, 1905, died Dec. 20, 1921; Alline, born c1907, married a Mr. Stevens c1928 and was a childless widow living with her parents in 1930; Adrian, born c1909; Paul, born c1912; Lucille, born c1916; Ruth Florence, born c1918, Lee, born c1921; an unnamed male child born prematurely and died on May 29, 1922; Charles Wade, born Jul. 31, 1921, died Oct. 22, 2012 and, Billie Joe, born c1926.
Please contact me with corrections, additions or, if you can connect the Degraffenreid families.
*Surname also found as Degraffenried & de Graffenreid
October 17, 2012
Ancestry.com - Failure to Follow Up on Promise
Update Oct. 24, 2012 - After writing to Ancestry management the folks in their Social Media arm finally shipped a copy of FTM to me. It arrived today. I haven't done much more than install and update it but, it looks rather easy to use.
Readers may recall that back in July, 2012 I repeated a contest offer that Ancestry.com made to me on condition I promote them in my blog.
The offer was made to me by their Social Media arm. It was an easy contest. All a reader had to do was answer a couple of simple questions, become a follower of my blog as well as "like" both me and Ancestry on Facebook. The winner would have received a free copy of the latest edition of Family Tree Maker (FTM) and, a free six-month subscription to the Ancestry Deluxe package.
For my participation I was also promised a free copy of FTM.
As it turned out, not one reader entered the contest! And, I suspect that is a good thing. Otherwise, it is likely I would now be trying to defend or, at least trying to provide legitimate excuses to the winner why he/she had not received the awards that Ancestry promised.
The contest was over at the end of August. It's now the middle of October and Ancestry has twice promised to follow up and send my free copy of FTM but, to date it has not arrived.
Today, I wrote to their media manager hoping to soon hear something positive. In the meantime, I am not holding my breath.
Even though I am a long time subscriber, I will never again promote Ancestry.com in this blog.
October 15, 2012
Finley Luckey Coffey
Finley Luckey Coffey was born on July 7, 1849 in Collin Co., TX to the union of Osborn Nightingale and Jane L. Bell Coffey. He married his first cousin, Anna Belle Coffey, daughter of Jesse Perry and Tabitha Slaughter Coffey, in c1873. Anna Belle was born February 10, 1855 in KY and died July 19, 1940 in Beaumont, Jefferson Co., TX. Finley died in Beaumont on April 13, 1926.
Anna gave Finley at least 10 children, eight sons and two daughters.
Gertella "Gertie," born June 21, 1876 in Anna, Collin Co., died October 25, 1950 in Beaumont. Gertie married Ernest C. Setliff c1896. He was born on July 9, 1870 in Anna and died in Beaumont on May 20, 1946. Both are buried in Beaumont at Magnolia Cemetery. They had at least one son, Guy Clifton, born January 12, 1898 in Anna, died May 25, 1961 in Beaumont. He is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Beaumont.
Lewis Dennison, born March 7, 1878 in TX, died Mar. 21, 1942 in Fort Worth. He married a lady named Maude M., c1906 and had at least one child, a daughter named Bessie M., born c1908. Lewis is buried in Beaumont but I do not yet know which cemetery.
Robert Lee, born July 22, 1880, died December 4,1918 in Jefferson Co., and buried at Magnolia.
Jesse Sanders, born October 2, 1883 in TX, died June 19, 1975 in St. Joseph Hospital, Houston, Harris Co., TX. He is buried at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery in Houston.
Ernest Houston, born May 4, 1884, died Mar. 10, 1926 in Beaumont. He is also buried at Magnolia Cemetery in that city.
Slaughter Belle, born Apr. 20, 1887 in Anna, married c1911 to Hazel Woods. Died August 20, 1962 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont and was buried in Beaumont at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. Hazel was born c1893 in TX. I have no other info on her. Their children were at least three: Jesse Lee, Lewis G. and Erma.
Myrtle May, born August 17, 1889 in Anna, died February 15, 1976 in Beaumont. She was married to a Mr. Epner or Ebner. She is buried at Magnolia Cemetery in Beaumont.
Finley Luckey, Jr., born June 17, 1892 in Collin Co., died April 21, 1948 in Jefferson Co. He married Elsie Ruth Clark in Jefferson Co. on January 5, 1918. Elsie was born c1901 in KY. Finley is buried at Forest Lawn in Beaumont. Elsie's death date and burial place has not yet been found. Their children, all born in Jefferson Co., were: Audrey, born c1920, died October 11, 2012 in Jefferson Co.; Nancy (?) Bertha, born c1922; May (?) B., born c924; Ruth M., born c1926; Betty Jo., born c1928 and Mary B., born c1930.
Henry Stanley, born August 7, 1894 in Collin Co., died in Beaumont on April 2, 1926. His wife was Gertrude Yancey, a daughter of Jessie B. and Alice Yancey, born in May, 1898, Jefferson Co. Henry died of pneumonia aided by influenza and was buried at Magnolia Cemetery in Beaumont. I have not yet found a second marriage for Gertrude. In 1930 she was living with her sister Pearl Rivet in Beaumont and working at a dry goods store. Her two children, Howard Stanley, born c1920, and Lester, born c1926, were living with her parents, Jessie and Alice Yancey at China in Jefferson Co.
The last child was John Fielden, born December 14, 1896 in TX, died December 27, 1975 in Vidor, Orange Co., TX and was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Beaumont. His wife was named Ruby. No further information.
Some census work for these families remains to be completed. I continue to work on them as time permits. Additions and/or corrections are welcomed.
Anna gave Finley at least 10 children, eight sons and two daughters.
Gertella "Gertie," born June 21, 1876 in Anna, Collin Co., died October 25, 1950 in Beaumont. Gertie married Ernest C. Setliff c1896. He was born on July 9, 1870 in Anna and died in Beaumont on May 20, 1946. Both are buried in Beaumont at Magnolia Cemetery. They had at least one son, Guy Clifton, born January 12, 1898 in Anna, died May 25, 1961 in Beaumont. He is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Beaumont.
Lewis Dennison, born March 7, 1878 in TX, died Mar. 21, 1942 in Fort Worth. He married a lady named Maude M., c1906 and had at least one child, a daughter named Bessie M., born c1908. Lewis is buried in Beaumont but I do not yet know which cemetery.
Robert Lee, born July 22, 1880, died December 4,1918 in Jefferson Co., and buried at Magnolia.
Jesse Sanders, born October 2, 1883 in TX, died June 19, 1975 in St. Joseph Hospital, Houston, Harris Co., TX. He is buried at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery in Houston.
Ernest Houston, born May 4, 1884, died Mar. 10, 1926 in Beaumont. He is also buried at Magnolia Cemetery in that city.
Slaughter Belle, born Apr. 20, 1887 in Anna, married c1911 to Hazel Woods. Died August 20, 1962 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Beaumont and was buried in Beaumont at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. Hazel was born c1893 in TX. I have no other info on her. Their children were at least three: Jesse Lee, Lewis G. and Erma.
Myrtle May, born August 17, 1889 in Anna, died February 15, 1976 in Beaumont. She was married to a Mr. Epner or Ebner. She is buried at Magnolia Cemetery in Beaumont.
Finley Luckey, Jr., born June 17, 1892 in Collin Co., died April 21, 1948 in Jefferson Co. He married Elsie Ruth Clark in Jefferson Co. on January 5, 1918. Elsie was born c1901 in KY. Finley is buried at Forest Lawn in Beaumont. Elsie's death date and burial place has not yet been found. Their children, all born in Jefferson Co., were: Audrey, born c1920, died October 11, 2012 in Jefferson Co.; Nancy (?) Bertha, born c1922; May (?) B., born c924; Ruth M., born c1926; Betty Jo., born c1928 and Mary B., born c1930.
Henry Stanley, born August 7, 1894 in Collin Co., died in Beaumont on April 2, 1926. His wife was Gertrude Yancey, a daughter of Jessie B. and Alice Yancey, born in May, 1898, Jefferson Co. Henry died of pneumonia aided by influenza and was buried at Magnolia Cemetery in Beaumont. I have not yet found a second marriage for Gertrude. In 1930 she was living with her sister Pearl Rivet in Beaumont and working at a dry goods store. Her two children, Howard Stanley, born c1920, and Lester, born c1926, were living with her parents, Jessie and Alice Yancey at China in Jefferson Co.
The last child was John Fielden, born December 14, 1896 in TX, died December 27, 1975 in Vidor, Orange Co., TX and was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Beaumont. His wife was named Ruby. No further information.
Some census work for these families remains to be completed. I continue to work on them as time permits. Additions and/or corrections are welcomed.
October 12, 2012
Linda Kay Baldwin
Linda Kay was born on Nov. 18, 1952 in Banner Elk Twp., Avery Co., NC to Tivis Clyde and Martha Marybell Bentley Baldwin. She died on Jul. 4 1953 after having lived for only 7 months 16 days. Her death certificate reads like a horror story:
"Disease or Condition Directly Leading to Death: Cerebral Contusion, severe Due to: Severe blows to head, neck and chest."The real horror comes when the certificate describes how her injuries occurred: "Pt [patient] struck by mother"
The child was buried at Newland Cemetery in Avery Co., NC
Tivis was a son of William Roby Baldwin and Cora L. Coffey. He was born on Aug. 6, 1926 in Virginia and died in Portage, Porter Co., IN on Jan. 8, 2006. He is buried there at the McCool Cemetery. He shares a headstone with Martha but her death date is not inscribed.
I wonder if she was ever legally punished for the crime?
Cora Coffey was the daughter of Rabon Scott and Margaret E. Hollander Coffey. Some additional information about Scott and Margaret can be found here and here.
October 10, 2012
Wesley W. Coffey - Request for Help
My original blog on Wesley W. Coffey.
Today I received the following e-mail from Hal Shaw. Please contact him directly if you can help with his request:
Today I received the following e-mail from Hal Shaw. Please contact him directly if you can help with his request:
Dear Sir.
I am Hal Shaw, I am looking for a photo of Wesley Coffey. Wesley was Worshipful Master of the Spencer Masonic Lodge #95 in 1899.
The lodge has photo of all the Worshipful Master hanging on the wall of honor from 1849 to the present, that is all but 7. We are trying to complete the wall of honor, by locating the missing photos.
We are missing a photo of of the following gentleman:
John W. ALLISON, master 1849,
E. S. HOWE who was master in 1850 ( I noticed you are also working on the Howe family, I am not sure if E.S. Howe is related to Laura Howe 1843- 1940 or her father Amos Price Howe 1790- 1871. Maybe you know the answer to this)
Isaac Johnson, master 1851
Lewis Stay, master 1868
A. J. Richards, master 1881,
Edward C Steel, master in 1889.
WESLEY W. COFFEY, master in 1899.
If you can help with a photos or know of anyone who might be able to, please let me know.
email is Shaws at comteck.com or 7121 Hickson Hill Road, Poland, IN 47868 [replace "at" with "@" to e-mail Mr. Shaw.]
In your blog or newsletter, you ask for burial place for Wesley Coffey. He is buried in Riverside Cemetery in Section D, Spencer, Owen County IN. His son Robert Coffey is also buried with him. Robert born and died 1880.
I did see on the internet at a Jean Birston posted she had a picture of Wesley, but her emails come back as undeliverable.
Thank you in advance for any help.
Hal Shaw
October 2, 2012
Joshua & Mary "Polly" Coffey Oatts
Joshua was a native of Virginia, born in that state on Jul. 5, 1791. He was a son of Robert and Mary or May Jones Oatts. On Jan. 4, 181 Joshua married Mary "Polly" Coffey, probably in Wayne Co.,KY, a daughter of Lewis Russell and Bidant "Biddy" Moore Coffey.
One of the sons of Joshua and Mary was Lewis, born Dec., 3, 1837, died Feb. 12, 1898 in Wayne Co. I don't have a marriage for Lewis. He is buried at Elk Springs Valley Cemetery at Oil Valley in Wayne Co., KY.
Lewis and "his sister" [he had two: Emily, born 1831 and Sophronia, born 1839) are mentioned in the Slave Narratives, a Gutenberg Project. This work was originally prepared by the WPA and, released in eBook format on April 6, 2004. A part which mentions the Oatts family of Wayne Co. reads as follows:
The Project Gutenberg EBook of Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves, by Work Projects Administration
This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net
Title: Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves Kentucky Narratives
Author: Work Projects Administration
Release Date: April 6, 2004 [EBook #11920]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII
*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SLAVE NARRATIVES ***
Produced by Andrea Ball and PG Distributed Proofreaders. Produced from images provided by the Library of Congress, Manuscript Division.
Mercer County. Ex-Slave Stories. (Hazel Cinnamon)
Interview with Will Oats--Ex-Slave:
Will Oats, 84 years of age, was born in Wayne County, up Spring Valley in 1854. He was the son of Betty Oats and Will Garddard of North Carolina. He has three sisters: Lucy Wilson, Frances Phillips that live in Ohio, and Alice Branton of Mercer County, Kentucky. He has two brothers; Jim Coffey and Lige Coffey of Harrodsburg.
As a child he lived with his mother, brothers, sisters, and grandmother. Their quarters were in the yard of their master; and they were as comfortable as any slaves--with plenty to eat and clothes to keep them warm.
Will was just a boy at that time, and he cut wood and carried it in; and did other chores around the house such as help to milk and feed the stock. Their food was plentiful and they ate all kinds of vegetables, and had plenty of milk and butter, fat meat, and bread.
The family all wore home made clothing, cotton shirts, heavy shoes, very heavy underwear; and if they wore out their winter shoes before the spring weather they had to do without until the fall.
Will was owned by Lewis Oats and his sister; they lived in a two story house, built of log and weather boarded. They were very wealthy people. The farm consisted of over 230 acres; they owned six slaves; and they had to be up doing their morning work before the master would wake.
When working and the slaves would disobey their master, they were punished in some way; but there was no jail. They didn't know how to read or write, and they had no church to attend. All they had to do when not at work was to talk to the older folks. On Christmas morning they would usually have a little extra to eat and maybe a stick of candy. On New Year's Day their work went on just the same as on any other day.
Will, as a boy loved to play marbles which was about the most interesting game they had to play. Of course, they could play outside as all children do now when they had spare time.
At that time there were few doctors and when the slaves would get hurt or sick, they were usually looked after by the master or by their overseer.
After the war had closed, Will's grandmother walked from Monticello to Camp Nelson to get her free papers and her children. They were all very happy, but they were wondering what they were going to do without a home, work, or money. But after Will and his mother and grandmother got their freedom, the grandmother bought a little land and house and they all went there to live. Of course, they worked out for other people and raised a great deal of what they ate. Will lived there until he grew older and went out for himself; and later moved to Mercer County where he now lives.
Bibliography: Interview with Will Oats, Ex-Slave of Mercer County.
One of the sons of Joshua and Mary was Lewis, born Dec., 3, 1837, died Feb. 12, 1898 in Wayne Co. I don't have a marriage for Lewis. He is buried at Elk Springs Valley Cemetery at Oil Valley in Wayne Co., KY.
Lewis and "his sister" [he had two: Emily, born 1831 and Sophronia, born 1839) are mentioned in the Slave Narratives, a Gutenberg Project. This work was originally prepared by the WPA and, released in eBook format on April 6, 2004. A part which mentions the Oatts family of Wayne Co. reads as follows:
The Project Gutenberg EBook of Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves, by Work Projects Administration
This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net
Title: Slave Narratives: A Folk History of Slavery in the United States From Interviews with Former Slaves Kentucky Narratives
Author: Work Projects Administration
Release Date: April 6, 2004 [EBook #11920]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII
*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SLAVE NARRATIVES ***
Produced by Andrea Ball and PG Distributed Proofreaders. Produced from images provided by the Library of Congress, Manuscript Division.
Mercer County. Ex-Slave Stories. (Hazel Cinnamon)
Interview with Will Oats--Ex-Slave:
Will Oats, 84 years of age, was born in Wayne County, up Spring Valley in 1854. He was the son of Betty Oats and Will Garddard of North Carolina. He has three sisters: Lucy Wilson, Frances Phillips that live in Ohio, and Alice Branton of Mercer County, Kentucky. He has two brothers; Jim Coffey and Lige Coffey of Harrodsburg.
As a child he lived with his mother, brothers, sisters, and grandmother. Their quarters were in the yard of their master; and they were as comfortable as any slaves--with plenty to eat and clothes to keep them warm.
Will was just a boy at that time, and he cut wood and carried it in; and did other chores around the house such as help to milk and feed the stock. Their food was plentiful and they ate all kinds of vegetables, and had plenty of milk and butter, fat meat, and bread.
The family all wore home made clothing, cotton shirts, heavy shoes, very heavy underwear; and if they wore out their winter shoes before the spring weather they had to do without until the fall.
Will was owned by Lewis Oats and his sister; they lived in a two story house, built of log and weather boarded. They were very wealthy people. The farm consisted of over 230 acres; they owned six slaves; and they had to be up doing their morning work before the master would wake.
When working and the slaves would disobey their master, they were punished in some way; but there was no jail. They didn't know how to read or write, and they had no church to attend. All they had to do when not at work was to talk to the older folks. On Christmas morning they would usually have a little extra to eat and maybe a stick of candy. On New Year's Day their work went on just the same as on any other day.
Will, as a boy loved to play marbles which was about the most interesting game they had to play. Of course, they could play outside as all children do now when they had spare time.
At that time there were few doctors and when the slaves would get hurt or sick, they were usually looked after by the master or by their overseer.
After the war had closed, Will's grandmother walked from Monticello to Camp Nelson to get her free papers and her children. They were all very happy, but they were wondering what they were going to do without a home, work, or money. But after Will and his mother and grandmother got their freedom, the grandmother bought a little land and house and they all went there to live. Of course, they worked out for other people and raised a great deal of what they ate. Will lived there until he grew older and went out for himself; and later moved to Mercer County where he now lives.
Bibliography: Interview with Will Oats, Ex-Slave of Mercer County.
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