Ancestry.com -Subscription Renewal - Beware

Sad to say that I will probably never subscribe to ancestry.com again.  I hadn't used it for over a year but a charge popped up on my credit card.  When I called them to say I didn't want to renew they essentially said too bad - you are now stuck with it for a year - but we won't bill you next year (and then they gave me a confirmation number).  Be careful when hitting the "terms and conditions" button.  They certainly weren't a customer friendly company in my phone call with them.  I will go to the library and use their subscription if I need to in the future. I am sure there are a lot of seniors who get caught up in this situation. 

They indicated that they send a subscription renewal alert but that oftentimes it will go to the SPAM folder.

Baby in Pram from Dunsmore Box

This baby is unidentified.  However, the photo comes from the O. Dunsmore home on Brushy Ridge, Greenbrier County, West Virginia.   On the back of the photo it says "To Aunt Jennett".  (Janet Haynes Dunsmore, daughter of Socrates Haynes). 

Randolph Kelly, Mary Alice Lee Kelly, Mary Alice Spriggs Kelly Knight

Standing:  Randolph Kelly.
Seated:  In dark hat, Mary Alice Lee Kelly, In light hat Mary Alice Spriggs Kelly Knight (my paternal greatgrandmother).

Randolph Kelly - Randolph Kelly was the son of Droa Spriggs Kelly (my paternal great great grandmother) and William Kelly.  He was the half-brother of Tom Spriggs (Kelly), Mary Alice Spriggs (Kelly), and Samuel Spriggs (Kelly), who were all the step-children of William Kelly and the biological children of Dora.  Randolph was born on 6/2/1892 in Williamsburg, West Virginia (however his death certificate states that his death is 6/6/1892).  He appears on the 1900 Census in Greenbrier County, Williamsburg District as a Black Male, 7, cousin of Elvira Huse (here it says he was born in December).  He appears on the 1910 Census in GC, Lewisburg District as a mulatto male, age 18, borther in law of the head of household, William Knight.  (His sister Mary Alice had married William Knight).  On January 19, 1919 he married Mary Alice Lee "Aunt Sis" (so he was married to a Mary Alice and had a sister named Mary Alice).  He appears in the 1920 Census at Lewisburg as a Black Male, age 27, with Alice (21), William Edward (infant) and Ed Jackson (10).  He appears ont e 1930 Census, in Lewisburg, as a Black Male, Laborer at a flour mill, with his wife, M. Alice Kelley (33) and his children William E. (10), Randolph K. (5), Mary V. (2), and Roy P. (infant).  His World War II Draft Registration Card indicates that he lived in Lewisburg, WV, was born on 6/2/1892 at Trout Valley, laborer at Peoples Supply Company of Lewisburg, medium height and build, brown eyes, dark hair.  In an interview with his granddaughter, Elizabeth, she indicated that there was another daughter, Mary Alice, who died young.  Randolph died on February 10 or 12, 1933 of pneumonia.  His occupation was cemetery caretaker.  He appears on WV Death Certificate #4793 & his own certificate WV Death Certificate #1803 which states that he died on 2/12/1933 at 40y, the maiden name of his mother was Dora Kelly, the informant was S.H. Kelly (his brother)  (Note - this is Samuel Kelly) buried in Lewisburg at the Lewisburg Cemetery. 

EARLY

Mahala Early - See Larry Shuck's Greenbrier County Court Records, p. 1999 in which he lists the " ...examination and trial of Mahala Early, a free woman of color who was charged with the crime of murder".  She was found to be not guilty.   In 1860, Mahala appears on the Greenbrier County Census as a mulatto female, age 54, a FREE INHABITANT, with James (14), Julia (25), and Wyatt (8 months). 

William Early - Husband of Elizabeth Kenny Early who he married on 9/25/1856 at Lewisburg.  She was the daughter of Thomas and Dolly Kenny.  He appears on the 1860 ensus in GC, Black Male, age 40, free inhabitant, laborer, with Elizabeth (19), Margaret (2 months), Mary (3), and Jincey Tate (15). 

Myles Early - Appears on the 1870 Census in Greenbrier County, Fort Spring District, Black Male, 35, farm hand, born in Va., with Sarah (32), Henderson (15), Richard (8), Nicholas (6), James (3 or 4), Lucy (2), and Jennetta (born 10/1860). 


 

Sally Early - Gravesite at the Old Colored Cemetery - Lewisburg, West Virginia

This is the grave of Sally Early at the Old Colored Cemetery (sometimes referred to as the Dick Pointer Cemetery) in Lewisburg, West Virginia.  The cemetery is behind Carnegie Hall, down the road from the Greenbrier Historical Society and across the street from the Caucasian cemetery.

Sally Early (1837 - 1911) can be found on the 1880 Census in Greenbrier County, White Sulphur Springs District at age 38, mulatto female, married (but her husband is not shown as she is enumerated with Benjamin Webb, a Caucasian hotel Superintendent, age 66).  She can be found in the 1920 Census in GC, Lewisburg District, Black Female, age 72, born in 1837, Widowed. 

She is listed in the Greenbrier County Cemetery Book (2 entries). 

Index - 2012

12/04/12 - Clara "Belle" Pack Wells
                  William "Hubert" Haynes
12/05/12 - Nola and Edna Haynes
                  Unidentified Boy
                  Unidentified Girl
                  Index 10/10/06 - end of 2006
                  Nola Haynes
                  Gilbert Haynes and Girl
                  Mary R. Bernice Haynes (Later Dr. Bernice Brown)
12/06/12    Janet Haynes Dunsmore and her daughter Ola Dunsmore Wood
                  James  Chambers
                  Lillian Rose Johnson Barnes Brooks, Virginia Braddock Hornaday, & Celestine Curtis
                  Index -2011 Posts
                  Index - 2010 Posts
                  Index - 2009 Posts
                  Index - 2007 Posts
                  Mattie Haynes
12/07/12    Index - 2011 Posts
                  Child on farm from Dunsmore box
                  Unidentified Photo from Dunsmore box
                  Front side of "back of photo" previous entry
                  Back of photo that will be posted above
                  Walter Haynes
                  Ethel Celina Haynes Johnson Barnes
12/09/12    William Peter Dunsmore, Thomas Dunsmore, and Mary "Polly" Carr Dunsmore
                  Infant
                  Child in Bonnet on Rocker
                  Unidentified Children - Dunsmore box
                  Unidentified adult female
                  Unidentified young ment
                  Swope/Swopes/Sope
                  Unidentified photo
                  STANDARD
12/10/12    References:  Books, magazines, journals that mention Black Life in GC, SC, MC, PC

References: Books, magazines, journals that mentioned Black Life in Greenbrier, Monroe, Summers, or Pocahontas Counties, W.V.

1.  History of Monroe County, W.V. by Oren F. Morton - "The appearance of the Negro in Virginia was promptly followed by the appearance of the mulatto" ... (see pages 75, 168 - 172, 185, 186).  And there is a chapter about (Caucasian) Rev. Samuel R. Houston which has excerpts from his diary.  It would be instructive to find and read the actual diary.

2.  History of Greenbrier County by Otis Rice - "The first black Methodist Congregation to establish a church in Greenbrier ... was at Lewisburg ....".  (Many references to Black life in this book). 

3.  Come Walk With Me Through The Streets of Historic Lewisburg - by Dr. John F. Montgomery.  "I can still envision the old iron pump and its two iron dippers, one for each race". 

4.  Dr. John F. Montgomery's Papers - (These can be found at the Greenbrier Historical Society).  "Blind Mary was a fortune teller in Lewisburg". 

5.  Greenbrier County Pioneers and Their Homes - by Ruth Dayton Woods.  "The county court ... had the power to try slaves for various crimes". 

6.  Journals of the Greenbrier Historical Society (some of the old copies are available for sale from the GHS). 
Vol. 4, # 1, 1981, p. 10 - "Slaves trained and skillful were owned in small numbers by many inhabitants of the area" & p. 17 "Many freed men who needed and wanted work ....." & p. 24 "John Wesley Methodist Church ...  " & p. 25 "there were slaves skilled in preparing bricks and sawing and shaping wood ..."   & p. 29 "the Negro Baptists of Lewisburg ....." 
Vol. 4, # 1, 1981, p. 33 - "... on the edge of what was once a solid Negro neighborhood ...". 
Vol 4, # 1, 1981, p. 78-79 - The Great Lewisburg Fire by Kenneth D. Swope.  "Great credit should be given to the colored people of the town for the  ... splendid work ...."

7.  Larry Shuck's books - specifically Greenbrier County Court Records - indicted ... "Catherine Deem for harboring a slave". 

8.  The Lewisburg Historic District by C.E. Turley (pages 9 & 12)  - "labor of slaves was available" ... "some of the local slaves had been trained in brick making ... Virginia". 

9.  Historic Lewisburg's Original 64 Lots - by James E. Talbert (available from the GHS) - "a burial place for the Africans or Blacks" ... "public school for African American students ...".  (James Talbert has been a major contact and support for me in doing my work.  He is always appreciative of my efforts and often points me in the right direction). 

10.  Freedom is a Constant Struggle - pamphlet - May 2002 - Lewisburg - "One segment of the event was the reading of the names of Greenbrier County slaves and Free Blacks that ran from 9 a.m. to after midnight".  Also see West Virginia Life by Rusty Mays, p. 10, 5/19/2002.

11.  12/10/1931 - ?  what publication this came from but headline read THE STATE UPHOLDS ANTI LYNCHING LAW - (Look for the court case - might be helpful to add the word Legg to the query).

12.  Civil War In Greenbrier County by Tim McKinney - Numerous mentions of Black Life in this area.  A must read. 

13.  The Reverend James Haynes - Presbyterian Evangelist in Appalachia - 1862 - 1900 - A Thesis Presented to the Faculty of the Graduate School, Pacific University - in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree - Master of Arts - by Gladys Lowder Haynes, May 1970.    (Ms. Gladys Haynes was a very dear woman.  Although I never met her she, as an elderly woman, went up into her attic to find her father in laws papers regarding the Blacks in the area over whose weddings he had officiated.  She then transcribed the information and sent it to me.  I feel that she went far beyond the call of duty in helping me in this way.  So many people have contributed to this quest of mine.  Further, after Hurricane Katrina she called me until she finally was able to catch up with me (about 7 weeks after the storm) and ascertain that I was o.k.). 

14.  Earl Clay dissertation - 1946 - This dissertation (by a Black resident of Lewisburg) was entirely about Black Life in Lewisburg and the surrounding area.  (Will supplement with the name of the university in ? Virginia - I called them many years ago and they sent me a copy from their archives). 

15.  Lewisburg Landmarks - by Ruth Dayton Woods - "has its "slave house" still standing - best known as the Preston House". 

16.  APPALACHIAN SPRINGS - The Newsletter of the Greenbrier Historical Society, especially Vol. 10, Number 3, 3rd quarter, 2004, an article entitled Free People of Color by Larry Heffner & Vol 10, Number 4, 4th quarter, 2004 relative to Documents Found Among the Courthouse Papers by Jim Talbert. 

17.  Goldenseal Articles - West Virginia Division of Culture and History

(to be continued .....) 

William Peter Dunsmore, Thomas Dunsmore & Mary "Polly" Carr Dunsmore

 

This photo was donated to this compiler by A. Payne Hewitt who indicated that it is circa 1903.

 

William "Pete" Dunsmore was the son of Thomas and Mary "Polly Carr Dunsmore.  He was the husband of Barbara Ann Curry Dunsmore. 
He appears on the 1870 Census at Monroe, 2nd Creek, 17y, mulatto, with his father, Thomas Dunsman (Peter Dunsman).  In 1874 he was the informant for the marriage of James Nickell and Eliza Susan Dunsmore.  In 1874 he married Barbara Ann Curry in Monroe.  He was 25, b. in Monroe, she was 20, b. in Monroe.  They were married at S.P. Hamilton's in Monroe.  The officiant was Rev. Samuel R. Houston (who also married members of my family who lived in this area in Monroe - see his book and diary).  He appears on the 1880 census in Monroe, 2nd Creek, mulatto, 30, b. 1850, works on farm with Barbara (26).  He is enumerated as William P. Dunsmore.  In 1885 he was the informant for the marriage of Lucy Jane Dunsmore and Lewis Nickell which took place on 12/30/1885.  He appears on the 1900 census in Monroe, 2nd Creek as a Black Male, 50y, b. 12/1849, farmer, married x 21 years to Barbara (46), with his son William C. (5) and his father Thomas (83) and his mother Polly (73).  He appears on the 1910 census, Monroe, 2nd Creek, with his wife Barbara and his son William and his mother Mary (88).  He appears on the 1920 Census, Monroe, 70y, with his wife Barbara (67). 

Thomas Dunsmore was the husband of Mary "Polly" Carr Dunsmore.  On the 1870 Census, MC, 2nd Creek he is 48y, a farm hand, with his wife Mary (37), and with his children Eliza (19), Peter (17), Margrett (12), Sarah (7), Lucy (4) & Agnes (2).  In this census they are enumerated as Dunsman.  In 1874 his daughter Eliza was married to James Nickell at his house.  In the 1880 census he is 60y  and is with Polly (54), Ida (9), Lewis (10), and Franklin (10).  In 1881 he is the father of the bride, Sally Dunsmore who married Cephalus "Fall" Moore (7/3/1881) in Monroe.  In 1889 he was the informant for the marriage of Albert Payne (my greatgrandmother Elizabeth's brother) and Ida Bell Dunsmore.  That marriage took place on 10/15/1889.  In 1892 he signed a permission slip for his son, John Lewis Dunsmore, to marry Lydia Erskine on 2/18/1892.  He appears in the 1900 census at age 83, living with his son William (Pete).  By this time he had been married to Mary "Polly" for 56 years. 
Note:  Polly seems to be the nickname for Mary - or at least seems to have been in this area.  He died on Jan/19/1910 and is buried in the Sinks Grove Cemetery (Mt. Zion/Neff Orchard Road Cem).  He is listed as the father of the decedent, John Lewis Dunsmore, who died in Greenbrier in 1945, WVDC # 10213. 

Mary "Polly" Carr Dunsmore was the daughter of Lemora/Lemoris Carr.  She died on 11/4/1921 of old age at Monroe, 2nd Creek.  She is buried at the "colored grave yard" - so Sinks Grove Cem.  Her son, Pete, was the informant for her death. 

Infant

Child in Bonnet on Rocker

Unidentified children - Dunsmore box

Again, thanks to E. Carter of Lewisburg (who is also descended from my great great grandmother Martha) for rescuing this box of photos.  These children must be Dunsmore children or related to or friends of the Dunsmore family of Brushy Ridge (as the photos came out of O.Dunsmore's home on the ridge).  See the below post on O. Dunsmore Wood and her mother Janet/Jennette. 

Unidentified adult female

Unidentified young men - Dunsmore box of photos

Swope/Swopes/Sopes

I have approx. 31 Swope/Swopes/Sopes entries in my compilation. 
The 1796 Personal Property Tax List for Greenbrier County, W.V. indicates that (Caucasian) Joseph Swope owned one Black person (over the age of 16). 
One of the earliest Swopes that I have is:
Hugh Swope, husband of Mary Ann Law Swope, son of Betsy Swope, b. 12/14/1858 in Monroe County, owned by John Swope.  On the 1870 census he appears in Monroe, SD, at age 12 , ?Hucan Sopes / ? Huey Sopes.  In 1880 he appears in Monroe, RSSD, at age 20, farm laborer, son of Betsy.  On 3/10/1885 when he was 24y he married Mary Ann Law.  She was 19 and also born in Monroe.  She was the daughter of Squire Law (who executed the permission to marry slip).  The informant was Edward Swope.  The officiant was Rev. Elijah P. Fleshman.  The wedding took place at the residence of Elizabeth Swope.  He can be found on the 1910 Census for Summer, Talcott at age 50. 

Samuel Swope appears on the Monroe County Death Records in 1856.  He died on 10/28/1856 at 9y of flux.  He was enslaved by John Swope. 

Others mentioned in the compilation are:  Alice Jane Swopes, Andrew Swope, Betsey/Betty/Elizabeth Swope, Bob Swope, Carrie Saide Swope Davis, Cora Luvenia Swope Freeman, Curtis Swopes, Ed. L. Swope, Edger Swope, Edward Swope, Emilene Swope, Emma Swope, Ester Sopes, Etta Swope, Floyd Swope, Henrietta Swope, Henry Swope, Hucan/Hugan Swope, Huey Swope, Hugh Swope, Husam Sopes, Mary Swope, Mariah Swopes, Rosa Mary Swope, Rosie L. Symns Swope, and Sarah Eddie Swope. 

Unidentified photo from the Dunsmore box

Hopefully someone will recognize this young man.  He had to be related to or a friend of the Dunsmore family of Brushy Ridge, particulary Janet and Frank Dunsmore. 

Standard

In my compilation, I have 18 entries for the surname Standard.  Most of these individuals seem to have lived in Summers County. 
George Standard married Ellen ?Donly in Summers on Jan/11/1874.  He was 24y, born in Monroe County, the son of Beverly and Malinda Standard.  She was 17, born in Pocahontas, the daughter of Lewis and Clara ?Donly.
Beverly Standard died on 9/23/1930 at 103y at Summers.  He was widowed, buried at Talcott, b. in 1827 The informant was Lena Jones of Talcott. 
William Standard was the husband of Cora Standard.  They can be found in the 1910 Census, Summers, Talcott, he is 39 y, a fireman, with  Cora (23), and Vietta (1), William (1), Gilbert (12) and Lenora (10). 
William Standard appears on the WV Death Record of Herbert Standard (#14073), who died in  Raleigh in 1941. 
Herbert Standard was the husband of Ollie Mae Standard.  He was the son of William and Cora Standard.  He was b. Jan/29/1909 at Talcott, he was a brakeman in the coal mines, cause of death was homicide (gunshot wound).  Buried at Talcott.  The informant was Gilbert Standard of Terry, W.V.
William N. Standard was the son of Beverly and Isabelle Standard.  On 2/4/1892 he married Mary E. Crockett.  He was 20, b. in Giles.  She was 16, b. in Summers and the daughter of Frank and Kate Crockett. 
For Elen also see Elen Donly Standard Harris/Elen Donly Standard Hains. 

Index 2011

7/20/2011 - Photo - Cleo Caval Haynes Dickason Blakely, 7/21/2011 - Note written by blogger iin 2004, 7/21/2011 - Photo - Wedding of Dr. Robert Howard and Edna Haynes Howard, 7/22/11 - Photo - Gilbert Warner Haynes "Uncle Doc", 7/22/-11 - Photo - What unidentified church looks like now, 7/31/11 - Joseph Lacy, 7/25/11 - Photo - Elvira Hughes/Elvira Huse, 7/30/11 - Photo - L. Haynes, 8/05/11 - Charles Henry Clay Hoover, 8/05/11 - Photo - Unidentifed baby, 8/06/11 - Payne enslaver - Jesse Payne - Monongalia, WV, 8/10/11 - Photo - Soldier, 8/10/11 - Liggons (various spellings), 8/12/11 - John Wesley United Methodist Church - various documents and photos, 170th Anniversary pamphlet - Photo - two women on a hill, 8/22/11 - Connor/Conner, 9/04/11 - Index 6/20/-06 to 10/7/06.  NO ENTRIES FROM 8/22/11 TO 12/4/12.   

Child on farm from Dunsmore box

This photo is not that clear but I love the way that it shows a child in a southeast WV field/yard. 

Unidentified photo from Dunsmore box

Unidentified photo from Dunsmore box. 

Front side of "back of photo" previous entry

Back of photo that will be posted above this entry

This is typical of the backs of the photos from the Dunsmore box.  On this one I was able to scan it and then change the resolution so that I can (somewhat) make out what it says.  It looks like "Mr. Jim Spotts" and then I can't make out anything and then "Haynes" on the bottom.  See the photo of the middle aged gentleman above. 
I have looked through my compilation and I do not have a Jim Spotts, only John Spotts. 

Walter Haynes

This photo is labeled Walter Haynes and because it came from a box at the Dunsmore home I believe it to be Walter Lemuel Haynes who was the son of Socrates Haynes and Barbara Moore Haynes.  He was the half brother of Oris T. Haynes and the brother of (Mary) Jennett Haynes.  He was born on 10/16/1881.  On 10/16/1907 he married Lula Isabel Williams.  They were married in Patton, WV.  He appears on the 1910, 1920, and 1930 censuses (1910 in Greenbrier County and the others in Monroe County).  It appears that his children were Eula, Howard L., William G., and Gordon G. and that he had a granddaughter Francis E.  See BLACK RESIDENTS OF GREENBRIER, MONROE, POCAHONTAS, AND SUMMERS COUNTIES, WV by this writer (it is at the Greenbrier Historical Society and the WV Division of Culture and History) for more information.  In a private letter a writer wrote that "Walter worked in the fields with other tenants ... then helped at the house ... the sweetest old man probably that I ever knew".  The letter indicates that Lula had a sister named Florence (? Williams) of Alderson (possibly married to a Mr. Freeman).  Walter is buried in the Sinks Grove Cemetery in Monroe County.  See GC Deed Book, volume 57, page  341.  On his WWI Draft Registration card it indicates that he lived at Organ Cave, WV. The draft card says he ws born on 10/20/1884.  He was farming.  His employer was C.F. Dickson of Organ Cave.  Medium height and build, brown eyes, black hair.  He died on 12/23/1960.  See Monroe Watchman. 

Ethel Celina Haynes Johnson Barnes

Ethel Celina Haynes Johnson Barnes was the daughter of George Washington Haynes and Elizabeth Jane Payne/Haynes Haynes Lewis.  She was born in 11/1887 (probably in Brushy Ridge, Greenbrier County).  She was the wife of (1) Samuel "Oscar" Johnson and (2) Roy Barnes.  She was the mother of Eva Otelia Johnson Peters and Lillian Rose Johnson Barnes Brooks.  She first appears in the 1900 Census in Greenbrier County at age 12 with her father George W. Haynes.  On June 28, 1906, at age 17, she married Samuel "Oscar" Johnson (who was 21y and born in Greenbrier).  Her husband "Oscar" died four short years later in 1910.  She died in 1954 (on an operating table) when she was age 60.  In a 7/31/2002 interview with her daughter Eva (Aunt Eva), she indicated that despite her mother's fourth grade education she was a very talented woman.  She could play the piano by ear.  She would perform in plays any chance she would get.  She could draw (with a pencil) very well and was especially good at drawing "the woman on the oatmeal box".  She moved to Wheeling and worked at a church.  In an interview with her grandson, Colonel George Peters, Jr. on 8/17/2004 he indicated that "a number of the Haynes siblings drifted into Wheeling" when he was still a child.  He indicated that each sibling had a cooking specialty.   His grandmother, Ethel, liked to bake and (though he was not able to remember the specific item which was her "specialty") she baked one of these items for him every day.  He indicated that all of the Haynes siblings cooked, even the men.  In an interview with Ethels niece, Edna Haynes (named after Ethel's sister Edna) the niece indicated that Ethel was "short".  The family naming pattern persisted and Ethel's younger brother, William "Hubert" named his youngest daughter Ethel (and she would, coincidentally, marry a man named Oscar). 

Janet Haynes Dunsmore and her daughter Ola Dunsmore Wood

Mary "Jannet" Haynes Dunsmore - also see previous post - was the daughter of Socrates Haynes and Barbara/Martha Moore.  She was the granddaughter of Martha Payne Haynes.  She was the wife of Frank Dunsmore and the mother of Ola and Overton Dunsmore.  She was possibly the granddaughter, also, of Burton Payne or Solomon Haynes (or just as easily someone else as her grandmother, Martha, was enslaved and she is descended from her grandmother's oldest child), but she was definitely the step-granddaugher of Peter Jones.  She was born on 7/6/1878.  She first appears on the 1880 Census for Monroe County as a mulatto female, age 3, daughter of Socrates Haynes.  She was married on 5/17/1895 at the Sinks Grove Baptist Church.  The informant was Lewis Nickell and the officiant was Rev. O.T. Harris.  She appears on the 1900 Census in MC, 2nd Creek at age 21 and on the 1910 Census at age 31.  She died on 8/19/1958 at Sinks Grove, MC at the age of 80y1m13d.  At the time of her death she was widowed.  She died of a cerebral hemorrhage.  She is buried at Mt. Zion (also known as the Sinks Grove Cemetery or the Neff Orchard Road Cemetery).  The informant was her son Overton Dunsmore.  I interviewed Mary/May Faye Dunsmore Johnson on 6/25/2002 and she indicated that she thought Janet had a brother named Edward.  This couple, Janet and Frank, raised my father's first cousin, Birdie Constance Haynes after her mother, Cora May Haynes Spotts died.  This photo is from the Dunsmore collection of photos which was presented to me by E. Carter.  Many of the photos in the box said "To Aunt Jennette" on the back.  Sadly, the photos were destined for the trash heap but, fortunately, E. Carter, was in the vicinity and rescued them.  What a pity if they had been thrown away!!

James Chambers

I was staying at the General Lewis Inn once and spotted this article on the wall.  The innkeepers let me take it down and copy it.  I then received permission from the Newspaper to reprint it.  Most of all I liked this statement "And none wears the Lewisburg mantle of aristocracy more than James Chambers". 
Husband of Nellie Chambers.  Born in Lewisburg (Bakersville).  1927 - 1930 an employee of Fidel Construction Company (where he ran a drill and shot dynamite).  A Gardener/Dishwasher/Bellman at the General Lewis Inn where he worked for 44 years (He started working there in 1930).  Member of the Mt. Tabor Baptist Church.  He was 66 in 1975.  Future research would be to check to see if he is the James Chambers, age 12, who appears with Alice Chambers in the 1920 Census, Greenbrier County, White Sulphur Springs District. 

Lillian Rose Johnson Barnes Brooks, Vriginia Braddock Brooks, & Virginia's stepdaughter Celestine Curtis

Lillian Rose Johnson Barnes Brooks was the daughter of Ethel Celina Haynes Johnson Barnes and Samuel "Oscar" Johnson.  She was the Wife of E.N. "Bud" Brooks and the mother of E. Brooks and M. Brooks.  She was raised in Beckley and Hinton, WV.  Born in 1908.  In an interview with her sister, Eva O. Johnson Peters, she indicated that as a child Lillie's hair was almost white (like compiler's & apparently common in the Haynes family) and she had blue eyes and that she resembled her aunt Dr. Mary R. Bernice Haynes Brown.  Aunt Eva was a major source of information to this compiler and gifted me with the above photo as well as other photos. 
Virginia Braddock Hornaday Brooks (this compiler does not believe that there is a relation with the Brooks men married to these two women - just a coincidence & this fact was verified by Aunt Eva) was called "Jennie".  She was the sister of Emma Braddock Cooley and George Braddock.  She first married a Hornaday and then a Brooks.  See Larry Shuck's Greenbrier County Birth Records. 
From oral family history (i.e. from Aunt Eva) - Emma Braddock Cooley, Virginia Braddock and George Braddock were the children of the son of General Edward Braddock and an enslaved woman (The slave woman would have had to have gotten pregnant in 1755 & had the child in 1756).  The mother of Emma, Virginia and George was Josephine.  Aunt Eva said that she didn't remember anyone "ever calling the name of  Josephine's husband".
There was a "famous" photo of Josephine (in an elegant Mona Lisa like pose) that has gone missing from the family but which Aunt Eva could remember vividly. 
General Braddock arrived in America in 1755 and died not many months later but apparently in those months had time to father a child with an enslaved woman.  This son was the first of the Braddock line in the studied area.  Among General Braddock's command were (the future President) George Washington and 21 year old Daniel Boone.  (Note:  There was a blonde haired - blue eyed - but Black man named Daniel Boone in Brushy Ridge, WV - but I  have been told there was no relation to the famous Caucasian Daniel Boone). 
Lillian and Aunt Eva (who are sisters) are descended from Virginia's sister Emma (who was their grandmother).  Emma's son was Samuel "Oscar" Johnson who is Lillian's father (Aunt Eva was not sure where the Johnson surname came from).  Lillian's mother is Ethel Celina Haynes (sister of compiler's grandfather, William "Hubert" Henry Haynes & daughter of George Washington Haynes and Elizabeth Jane Payne/Haynes Haynes Lewis.  (Coincidentally there was a Black man named Samuel Johnson from Greenbrier County, WV who was an aide to President George Washington but this compiler can make no connections to Samuel "Oscar" Johnson of Greenbrier County).  I have often thought that this would be a good research subject for the History Detectives.  Most of the men in this family became high-ranking military men (?coincidence).  Unfortunately we do not have an artifact - which is required for that television show.  Perhaps another genealogist will take on this search. 
Celestine M. Curtis - I have not yet researched this individual. 

Index - 2011 Posts

1/1/11 - New blog by this blogger (This is What I Know - Silly Putty History), William Henry Haynes, 1/11/11 - Shoveler/Shovler/Shuvler/Shuffler, Lewis Skipper, Annie Matthew Perkins, 1/13/11 - Photo - Unidentifed Church in Monroe County, WV, Photo - 2 unidentified women associated with Haynes family, Photo - Unidentified baby - from Dunsmore photos (Brushy Ridge), Photo - 3 unidentified girls standing in doorway - from Dunsmore photos (Brushy Ridge), Photo - 4 women and 1 child in yard - from Dunsmore photos (Brushy Ridge).  Note:  All Dunsmore (Brushy Ridge) photos were contributed by E. Carter of Greenbrier County.  1/27/11 - Photo - Mary "Jennet" Haynes Dunsmore/Mrs. Frank Dunsmore  - from Dunsmore photos (Brushy Ridge), 1/29/11 - Photo - Toddler Standing in Chair, Blondish haired girl, Women Inside Fence on Farm, Two ladies standing and one sitting, Young Boy Barefoot, Tintype of two men, Man with mustache wearing hat, Young men in boots and hat, Girls in doorway (duplicate), 2 girls sitting on chair, Women on Farm (all are Dunsmore (Brushy Ridge) photos).  1/29/11 - Note on Earl Clay Dissertation which is accompanied by a Photo of 2 women on grass in hats, 2/07/11 - List of surnames in BLACK RESIDENTS OF GREENBRIER, MONROE, POCAHONTAS, AND SUMMERS COUNTIES by Carol L. Haynes that begin with the letter "Q", Photo - 2 sided photo showing two young boys in sailor suits - first with hats then without hats, 7/20/11 - Photo - Cleo Caval Haynes Dickason Blakey, 7/21/11 - Personal Note, Photo - Wedding photo - Dr. Robert J. Howard and Edna Haynes Howard.

Index. No posts from 3/24/09 to 6/13/2010. 2010 posts.

6/13/10 - James Baldwin, Daniel Boone, Zebby Liggons Terrell, Julius Henderson Love, Simon Lee, Greenbrier Historical Society has old newspapers, Mary Frances Bodemullet (death), Boston Haynes, 6/14/10 - Boston Haynes (continued), Helpful Resources, 6/15/10 - Ulysses Grant, 6/19/2010 - PAYNE, 6/19/10 - Bush family members who died in 1905 fire, James Brown, (Sister) Florence Brown, Bush/Strain, SPOTTS, 6/20/10 - Tarry Milbourn/Torry Milbourn/Millburn, 6/20/10 SARAH HAYNES (dies in fire), 6/22/10 - William Dudley/Safronia Carter (court case), 6/24/10 - Lydia Seames Jordan/Georgia Cousins/Alex Crawford/Mary Lewis Crawford, 6/27/10 - Richard Harry Curry, Sr., DRAFT CARD REGISTRATIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHOSE SURNAMES BEGAN WITH THE LETTER "A",
7/3/10 - Lucy Peck, 7/7/10 - Erksine, 9/14/10 - Daugherty Family of Pocahontas County, 9/16/10 - Contact me, 9/17/10 - J. Calvin Curry, 9/17/10 - Mary Dickson (?mother of Barbour children?), Barbour/Barber, Nan Curry, Claybourne Burl Curry, Sam (Curry), Rev. Samuel Houston's Diary, 9/9/10 - Buckland, Sam (Dickson), Jordan Davis, Doubt, 9/20/10 - Sally (Dickson)/Isaiah Dickison, 9/20/10 Trial of Jack, a slave, 9/20/10 Jane Dolan/Jane Dogan, 12/27/10 - GEORGE WASHINGTON HAYNES 1860 - 1914, SAMUEL 'OSCAR' JOHNSON, "Mama, these are William's Xmas cards", ENOCH FERRELL, Explanations of the four preceeding photos (including George Washington Haynes, William with Santa, and Samuel "Oscar" Johnson. 
No more entries until 2011. 

Index - No posts from 4/9/07 to 3/24/09. 2009 Posts.

3/24/2009 - Housekeeping.  Received over 100 photos from E.Carter of Lewisburg which had come from the Dunsmore home on Brushy Ridge. 

Index of 2007 posts

1/2/07 - Marriages performed by Rev. Thomas Brooks, Rev. S.H. Brown, 1/3/07 - Marriages performed by Rev. Wm. Moorman.  1/6/07 - Josephine Bealle Wilson Bruce, 1/7/07 - Marriages performed by Rev. J.W. Bownell, Rev. W.L. Booze, Rev. Wm. Madison Boggs, Rev. Sanford Boggs, Rev. Carl Edward Boggs, 1/12/07 - Marriages performed by Rev. Wm. M. Perkins, 1/13/07 - Marriages performed by Rev. G.W. Clark, 1/13/07 - Marriages performed by Rev. Charles Williams/Charles (Creigh), Rev. Daniel Collins, Rev. R.H. Clark, 1/20/07 - Marriages performed by Rev. Irving Hosea Carpenter, 1/21/07 - Marriages performed by Rev. Frederick F. Sawyer, 1/25/07 - Marriages performed by Rev. L.A. McLean/L.A.M.Lean, Rev. H.M. McLaughlin/Laughlin, 1/26/07 - Marriages performed by Rev. John Barnett, Rev. F. Barkins, Rev. H.D. Bishop, Rev. W.H. Berry, 1/28/07 - LITTLETON, 1/29/07 - Marriages performed by Rev. Leftridas/Leftridge, Rev. Lamber, Rev. George T. Lyle, Rev. L.L. Loyd, Rv. Wm. Linton, Rev. P.H. Lilly, 2/1/07 - Marriages performed by Rev. O.T. Harris, 2/4/07 - Marriages performed by Rev. Jennings, 2/7/07 - Marriages performed by Rev. R.D. Haynes, 2/12/07 - 761st Tank Battallion - WWII (and involvement of residents of the area), 2/20/07 - Marriages performed by Rev. D. Frank Eutsur, 3/23/07 - Marriages performed by Rev. L.B. Allen, 3/24/07 - Marriages performed by Rev. Robert L. Kelly.  4/9/07 - Marriages peformed by Rev. G.B. Gibson, Rev. Wm. Rhodes Grisby.

Mattie Haynes

Oldest child of George Washington Haynes and Elizabeth Jane Payne/Haynes Haynes Lewis. 

The Greenbrier Historical Society and the West Virginia Division of Culture and History both have about 30 volumes of my work entitled "BLACK RESIDENTS OF GREENBRIER, MONROE, SUMMERS, AND POCAHONTAS COUNTIES"  by Carol L. Haynes.  Amistad Research has very old drafts from the late 90's and the West Virginia college at Institute has an old copy.  This is not a formally published work - only self published information that I update frequently and send to the above two museums/societies.  The recent edition includes around 240 photos.  So, if you are in Lewisburg please stop in to the GHS and ask them to see my work.  Or, if you are in Charleston, do the same.  The work attempts to list every Black individual who ever lived in GC, MC, SC, or PC.  It is an index of all of the places where these persons can be found (censuses, court records, other family histories, newspaper articles) and it also contains interviews of family members.  Hope you find the information helpful!!! 

Nola and Edna Haynes.

Nola and Edna Haynes.  Daughters of George Washington Haynes and Elizabeth Jane Payne/Haynes Haynes Lewis of Brushy Ridge, Greenbrier County. 

Unidentified Boy

Photo contributed by E. Brooks. This child is somehow related to the HAYNES family of Greenbrier/Monroe Counties. 

Unidentified Girl

Photo contributed by E. Brooks.

This child is somehow related to the Haynes family of Greenbrier/Monroe Counties. 

Index 10/10/06 - end of 2006

10/10/06 - Marriages performed by Rev. Grandison, Rev. L. Baxter Goodall, Rev. A.C. Gearhart, Rev. Henry C. Gray, Rev. Faust Nickell, 10/20/06 - Marriages performed by Rev. Matthew Lyle Lacy, 10/27/06 - Marriages performed by Rev. W.F. Patterson, 10/28/06 - Marriages performed by Rev. B.P. Pennington, 11/1/06 - Marriages performed by Rev. William M. Nickell, 11/4/06 - Marriages performed by Rev. J.D. Noll, 11/7/06 - Marriages performed by Rev. Floyd Meadows, Rev. J.J. Meadon, Rev. F.A./J.A. Meade, 11/9/06 - Marriages performed by Rev. Charles Lewis, 11/18/06 - Journal of the Greenbrier Historical Society, Vol. 8, # 2, 2006 - article by Mr. Layton regarding old courthouse documents, 11/21/06 - Marriages performed by Rev. Bosley Boyce, 11/22/06 - Marriages peformed by Thomas Brooks, 11/27/06 - Marriages performed by Rev. ? Brooks, 11/30/06 - MARTHA JONES (there were at least 5 of them in the area), 12/4/06 - Anderson Jones, 12/22/06 - Marriages performed by Rev. T.R. Morris, 12/23/06 - Marriages performed by Rev. R.H. Mason, 12/24/06 - Marriages performed by Rev. John H. Simpson, 12/25/06 - John Wesley United Methodist Church - Lewisburg - Greenbrier County, Marriages performed by Rev. J.L. Brown, Marriages performed by Rev. H.A. Brown, Marriages performed by Rev. John H. Simpson. 

Nola Haynes

Daughter of George Washington Haynes and Elizabeth Jane Payne/Haynes Haynes Lewis. Born 12/9/1893. Never married. She died in Cleveland April 28 1984. One of fourteen children. Received her elementary and secondary education in the public schools in Ronceverte, WV. Received her formal training at Bluefield State College. She moved to Wheeling and affilitated herself with the Macedonia Baptist Church. Stricken with spinal meningitis and as a result of this her hearing was seriously impaired. Moved to Cleveland around 1964 to live with her sister Dr. Mary R. Bernice Haynes Brown. Joined the Antioch Baptist Church. Her niece, Eva Otelia Johnson, indicated in an interview that Nola was tiny/petite with a small waist; looked more Indian looking than most of her brothers and sisters; somewhat prissy; wore pearls and was always dressed nicely; lost hearing in both of her ears; very polite; an exceptional housekeeper; made pies (each of the 14 Haynes children had a cooking specialty and hers was making pies). She was a school teacher for a long time. Another niece said of Nola that she was "prim and proper", "jewelry all of the time", "relied on reading lips", "quite demure".

Gilbert Haynes and girl

This is a photo of Gilbert Warner Haynes, son of George Washington Haynes and Elizabeth Jane Payne/Haynes Haynes Lewis. See prior post. The girl may be his little sister Dr. Mary R. "Bernice" Haynes Brown.

Mary R. Bernice Haynes (Later Dr. Bernice Brown)

Dr. Mary. R. "Bernice" Haynes Brown

Photo contributed by E. Brooks. aka Dr. Bernice Brown. Daughter of George Washington Haynes and Elizabeth Jane Payne/Haynes Haynes Lewis (she was their youngest child). Wife of Alex "Harold " Brown. Born 8/22/1904. She appears on the 1910 Census in Greenbrier County, Irish Corner District as a mulatto female, age 6. She and Alex had no children but she had a stepson named "Sonny". Her husband was the founder of Brown's Transfer in Beckley, WV. Sonny (along with his wife) took over the operation of Brown's Transfer. The business was later sold to Charles "Bussie" Allen. Bernice was a podiatrist. She owned property at 7916 Cedar Avenue in Cleveland Ohio. The property had formerly been a Hungarian Restaurant. She used the name Dr. Bernice H. Brown throughout her career. The H must have been for her maiden name "Haynes". The house was a huge double. She had her podiatry office on one side. The other side had at least four bedrooms. She chose to live in the attic and allowed her siblings to live with her - especially Nola (sometimes Edna who was married to Dr. Robert Howard and who ended up buying 1/2 of the property). She died on 12/13/1981 at age 73. She was a member of the Antioch Baptist Church (which was down the street from her home on Cedar Avenue). She is buried at Lakeview Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio. She also owned a home at 539 East Main Street in Ronceverte, WV. She had formerly been a school teacher in Ronceverte. She moved to Cleveland in 1937. She attended Hinton High School, Bluefield State College, and the Ohio School of Chiropody. Two grandchildren Alexis Brown and Alex Brown. See Journal of the Greenbrier Historical Society, Volume 7, #6, 2004, page 60.

Clara "Belle"/Burk Pack Wells & her sister Virginia

(This photo & the last photo of WHH were contributed by E. Brooks).
 Clara "Belle"/Burk Pack Wells (born 10/30/1876) was the daughter of Mary "Belle" Haynes Pack & Anthony Pack. She was the second wife of William "Anderson" Wells (she married him on 9/23/1908 (per N.P. Callahan)). (He was born 11/6/1860 & he died on 12/16/1949) She was the sister of Virginia Lee Pack Jones (1879 - 1953?) (wife of Charles J. Jones (b. 1872 - d 1956)).  She can be found on the 1920 and 1930 Census in Summers County, WV. In 1920 she was 40 y.o. See WV Death Certificate # 4593 where she was the informant for the death of her husband. She is referred to in many places as Clara Burk Pack. She raised a cousin --Eva Otelia Johnson Peters -- and this cousin provided me with much information about her including the fact that: she was 6 feet tall; had a nice home - a large home with four bedrooms and a large yard - 125 Main Street in Hinton; Clara was a "licensed/degreed" nurse who lived in a "cultured environment"; she attended the Second Baptist Church; . She was the stepmother of Lucille Wells (who married Rev. Berry - a Methodist minister). See Dr. Vallentine's Pack Slaves. See BLACK RESIDENTS OF GREENBRIER, MONROE, SUMMERS, AND POCAHONTAS COUNTIES by Carol L. Haynes (available at the Greenbrier Historical Society and the West Virginia Division of Culture and History). She died on January 5, 1964.  Virginia raised cousin Lillian Johnson. 

The above is the home of William "Anderson" Wells & Clara Pack Wells. 

Gavesite of William "Anderson" Wells & Clara Pack Wells in Summers County.

Gravesite of Virginia Pack Jones & Charles J. Jones. 

Charles J. Jones can be found:
1880 US Census in Summers
W Marriages - Charles J. Jones mrried Virginia Lee Pack

William "Hubert" Henry Haynes

As usual, I have received a few inquiries and, therefore, have become interested in this research again. I can't believe that I have been away so long. At any rate, this photo is of my grandfather, William Hubert Haynes. He was the son (one of the younger of 14 children) of George Washington Haynes and Elizabeth Jane Payne/Haynes Haynes Lewis. He was born in 1897 in Ronceberte/Brushy Ridge, WV. In the 1920's he was a chauffeur for Attorney Dabney Davis of Charleston, WV. In 1930 he was a chauffeur in Connecticut (for the Steinbach family). His draft registration card for WWII has him as Hubert William Henry Stanly Haynes, born 2/19/1897. On his registration card he is described as medium height, slender, black eyes, black hair. He died on 8/18/1939 and he is buried at the Neff Orchard Road Cemetery. For details of his death see WHEELING INTELLIGENCER, 8/19/1939; 8/21/1939.

INDEX OF BLOG (from 6/20/06 to 10/7/06)

6/20/06 - First post - Introduction
6/21/06 - Helpful contacts
Suggested Reading
Mildred Carter Bess (with photo of Mildred Carter Bess, Marvin Nelson, Pinkney Nelson, Elizabethy and Martha Carter Nelson)
More Resources
Census Books
Cemetery Books
Resources (continued)
6/22/06 - Anne Sidney Jackson Matthews WAde
Housekeeping
Charles Anderson
Diary of (Caucasian) Reverend Samuel Houston (wherein he mentions Black members of his church)
Richard "Dick" Pointer
Franklin Winfield Page - enslaved man who broke the horse Traveller
6/23/06 - Eliza Ann Littleton - John Davis & Marriage Bonds available at the Greenbrier Historical Society.
6/24/06 - Samuel "Oscar" Johnson (with photo of SOJ, his wife Ethel Celina Haynes Johnson, and his daughter Eva Johnson).
Annie Matthews Perkins (with photo of her grave site)
6/25/06 - George Washington Haynes (with photo of GWH)
Community Based Genealogical Projects
Housekeeping
6/27/06 - Why Being a Haynes Can Mean That You Are A Payne.
6/28/06 - Resources
Monroe County Will Book
Resources
6/29/06 - "Aunt Sally" Creigh/Sallie Woods



7/01/06 - Bishop Matthew W. Clair, Sr. and Fannie Mead Walker Clair, 7/02/2006 - "The Darkies" - comment on the Nickell family compilation; Marriage Bonds at the Greenbrier Historical Society at Lewisburg, W.V., 7/05/06 - 45th U.S.Colored Troops, 7/06/06 - More information on Annie Matthews Perkins car/train accident, 7/12/06 - contributions and invovlement of Blacks in the area, 7/16/06 - John Henry, Mary Ann Littleton Hughes, 7/24/06 - James P.D. Gardner, 7/30/06 - James Presley Ball, 8/1/06 - Marriages performed by Rev. Martin Bibb, 8/3/06 - Marriages performed by Rev. J. Ford Baggs, Rev. P.B. Baber, 8/6/06 - Marriages performed by Rev. Charles L Campbell, 8/9/06 - Marriages performed by Rev. Rufus Pack, 8/2/06 - Comment on a resource - A NEW RIVER HERITAGE by William Sanders, 8/21/06 - Marriages performed by Rev. Stewart Aiken Lewis, Rev. H.R. Laird, 8/31/06 - Byrd Prillerman, 9/2/06 - Marriages performed by Rev. Elijah P. Fleshman, 9/03/06 - Marriages performed by Rev. Thomas W. Boothe, 9/5/06 - Marriages performed by Rev. Elijah Ayers, 9/6/06 - Marriages performed by Rev. Christopher Columbus Logan, 9/7/06 - Marriages performed by Rev. J.P. Campbell, 9/8/06 - Marriages performed by A.J. Thompson, 9/9/06 - Marriages performed by Rev. Edward P. Jackson, Rev. Samuel R. Houston, Rev. Jefferson Gillmore, Quick Indexz for June, July, August, Sept 2006, Marriages performed by Rev. J.E. Thorne, 9/13/06 - Marriages performed by Rev. R.J. Perkins, Rev. J.C. Killion, Rev. C.P. Kelley, 9/16/06 - Lynching at Lewisburg, GC, 9/17/06 - Marriages performed by Rev. E.P. Jeffries, Rev. Joseph W. Jackson, Rev. Wm. Jackson, 9/26/06 - Marriages performed by Rev. John A. Anderson, 9/30/06 - Marriages performed by Rev. J.W. Keith, Rev. M.H. Bittinger, Rev. Abraham Beakes, Rev. John A. Anderson, 10/01/06 - Marriages performed by Rev. D.C. Hunter, Rev. A.C. Hubbard, Rev. A. Hogsett, Rev. Charles Hodges, Rev. A.J. Cummins, Rev. J.W. Cowgill, Rev. H.C. Conner, Rev. H.S. Coe, 10/02/06 - Marriages performed by Rev. J. Lattimer Kibler, Rev. Lewis Kincaid, 10/03/06 - 10/4/06 - Marriages performed by Rev. S.E. Williams, Rev. A.W. Williams, Rev. James Sweeney, Rev. D. Stratton, Rev. George N. Spencer, Rev. William L. Smith, Rv. George W. Smith, Stuart-Stewart-Steward-Stuard&Sterit, Ada Smith/Bricktop, 10/4/06 - Marriages performed by William R. Williams, 10/5/06 - Marriages performed by W.H. Wiley/Wyley, Rev. I.W. Wightman, Rev. Wheeler, Rev. R.N. Wagner, 10/7/06 Landcraft and intermingled names that sound alike or are spelled differently (e.g. Landcraft/Sandcraft - some intermingling due to enumerator penmanship).

Connor/Conner

For this name also see Cormer & Comer b/c it was sometimes difficult to read the enumerator's handwriting.

I only have 24 entries for this name:

One family was headed by Eugene "Leonard" Conner. He was the husband of Eliza J. Baker Conner who he married in Monroe County on January 10, 1900 when he was 30 and she was 26. He was born in Greenbrier and she was born in Augusta, Virginia. The informant for the marriage was James Lewis. The officiant was Rev. Joseph W. Jackson (Minister of the M.E. Church). They were married in Alderson.
He appears on the 1910 Census in Greenbrier, Blue Sulphur Township, as a Black Male, age 38, hotel waiter in the dining room, husband of Eliza J. (3)) and with Mamie R. (14) & Ralph W (infant). In this census he is enumerated as E. Leonard.
He appears in the 1920 Census at the same location, now 49 y., laborer, with Eliza (45), Mamie (24) & Ralph (9). In this census he is enumerated as Eugene L.

W.J. Conner was the husband of Rosa L. Manns Conner and he was the son of R. and Sarah Conner. W.J. and Rosa married in September, 1900 at Summers County. They were both originally from Virginia (he from Pulanski). He was a machinist.

Thomas D. Conner can be found in WV Death Certificate # 7882. He died on 5/23/1936 at Monroe at 78y. He was born at Pulanski on 10/14/1857. He was a farmer.

Sally Conner/Comer died in Greenbrier in 1903/1904 at 52 y & she may be the same Sallie Connor who appears on the 1880 Census, Greenbrier, Black Female, 27 y, domestic servant (with Henry Brown - 35).

A Rev. H.C. Conner performed many marriages of Black residents but I am not sure of his race. Sometimes his name looks like Comer.

Esther/Estelline/Estra Conner married Frank A. Perkins. Her father was Abe Conner. (He was also the father of Matilda (?Conner) Lee, wife of Thomas Lee). Esther's mother was Lucinda Conner.

A James R. Conner appears in Larry Shuck's Greenbrier County Marriage Records on page 92.

Josephine French Connor was the daughter of George and Agnes French. She appears in WV Death Certificate # 6765. She died on 5/24/1951 at Summers County at 73y. She is buried at Hill Top.

A Julia M. Connor is buried at the Mount Carmel Cemetery at Ballard. 6/22/1857 - 5/1/1936.

A Lin Connor married Barney Raglin.

A Rommie Conner appears on WV Death Certificate#16408 and she was the informant for the death of Ballard French (Summers County 1926).

Wade Conner appears on the 1920 Census, Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs District, as a mulatto male, age 24.

John Wesley United Methodist Church - Lewisburg - Pages 3 & 4 & Mary Lucinda Page Kelly

This history of the John Wesley Methodist Church was written by Mary Lucinda Page Kelly. She was the daughter of Frank(lin) Winfield Page (who is credited with breaking the famous horse "Traveller" ridden by General Lee). She is also the daughter of Sarah Freeman Page. She was the wife of Samuel Kelly (my greatgrandmother Mary's brother). She was born on 12/17/1892 in Lewisburg. She appears on the 1920 Census in Greenbrier County, Lewisburg District, as a Black Female working for the Price sisters (Margarett & Jennie - who were the sisters of Samuel Price who was a lawyer and the former Lt. Governor of Confederate Virginia & who my ancestors also worked for). She appears in the 1920 census as a Black Female, 27, wife of Samuel Kelly & in the 1930 census as a Black Female, 37, wife of Samuel Kelly, first married at age 17. See Journal of the Greenbrier Historical Society, Vol 7, #6, 2004, page 29. She died on 9/22/1994 and she is buried at the Lewisburg Cemetery. Her daughter Harriet Olive Kelly Miller Williams was of great help to me in researching the area.

John Wesley United Methodist Church - Lewisburg - Cannonball

John Wesley United Methodist Church - Lewisburg - photos of site of staircase for enslaved members & where cannonball hit

John Wesley United Methodist Church - Lewisburg - page two

John Wesley United Methodist Church - Lewisburg - Page One (inside cover)

170th Anniversary of the John Wesley United Methodist Church - Lewisburg, West Virginia - Program Cover

This is a church that was, and still is, attended by many members of the Lewisburg Community. It is the church that my ancestors attended.

This photo was given to me by a Haynes/Dickerson family member. However, no one knows who they are.

Photo of Soldier from Dunsmore box of photos

Liggons, Ligging, Liggin, Liggins, Leggens, Leggons, Ligens & Ligons

These names are all "intermingled" in my compilation. People show up in various censuses with various spellings. On January 6, 2010, Jim Talbert of the Greenbrier HIstorical Society mailed me a copy of an undated newspaper clipping:
AGED COLORED WOMAN DEAD - "Aunt" Zebby Terrell, a well-known colored resident of Lewisburg, died on Monday morning. It is said she had reached the advanced age of 93 years. She was a slave of Captain Alex McClintic of Bath County, Virginia and after the civil war she and her brother, Sam Strain, came to Greenbrier County and were tenants on the Captain Alex Arbuckle farm near Maxwelton later moving to "Straintown" in the Teaberry Section of Lewisburg. "Aunt" Zebby was twice married, her first husband being named Liggins and her second husband's name being Terrell. She leaves two nephews Asbury and Dick Strain of Lewisburg.

***

Was "Aunt Zebby" the Debora B. Strain Liggons who was the wife of George W. Liggons? Debora appears on the 1875 Greenbrier County Register of Marriages. On 9/9/1874 she married George W. Liggons (age 24). She appears in the 1880 Census in GC at Fort Spring District as a Black Female, 28 years old, keeping house, wife of George Liggins. She appears in SHUCK's records (Marriage Records - pages 219 & 713 - see Leggens). She appears on WV Death Certificate # 11289 as the mother of the decedent, Mary Lavenia Johnson.

George W. Liggons died in GC on 2/23/1891. He was the brother in law of Pollie Bush.

Payne enslaver - Jesse Payne - Monongalia, WV

My greatgreatgrandmother was Martha Ann Payne and she was from Fayette County, WV. It is said that she was "married" to Burton Payne (during slavery) but that he was sold off. Since her name during slavery was Payne she must have been owned by a Payne. I think I found Burton Payne after 1865 in Virginia (he had married another Martha). I have not yet researched who owned Martha and Burton in Fayette(and, therefore, also my greatgrandmother Elizabeth Jane Payne Haynes).
Today, however, I read something that was intriguing. In the book: The Bridge - The Life and Rise of Barak Obama - the author states "And as a genealogist at the Library of Congress, William Addams Reitwiesner, discovered, Obama's ancestors included Jesse Payne, of Monongalia County, W.V. who in the first half of the nineteenth century, owned slaves named Moriah, Isaac, Sarah, Selah, Old Violet, Young Violet, and Little William".
I guess I will have to see where Monongalia is and, perhaps, research Jesse Payne.

Charles Henry Clay Hoover

Charles Henry Clay Hoover was the husband of (1) ? and then (2) Lula Bell Pack Hoover. He was the son of Perry Hoover and Julia Johnson Hoover. He appears in the Greenbrier County Register of Births as having been born in 5/1874. He appears on the 1880 Census in Greenbrier County, Blue Sulphur Township as a mulatto male, age 6. On 6/13/1899 he married Lula Bell Pack. He was 25 and she was 23 (she was born in Monroe County). The informant for the marriage was Josephine Pack. The officiant was Rev. Jeffries. They married at Alderson. He appears in the 1900 Census in GC, BST, as a Black Male, age 26, married for one year to Lula (24). He was a farm laborer. Also with the family is their son, John P. who was born in 5/1900. He can be found in the GC Birth Book as the father of Charles J. Hoover (b. 8/21/1906). He can be found in the 1910 Census in GC, BST, mulatto male, age 36, farm laborer, married twice, this time for ten years to Lula B (34), with John P. (10), Mary A. (8), & Charles J. (3). Also in the household is Maxwell Kenney (8). He registered for WWI and his card indicates that he was born on 3/17/1874. He lived at Glen White, Raleigh County. He was 44 y.o. He was a miner at E.E. White Coal Co. He was medium height, medium build. He registered on 9/12/1918. On the 1920 Census he is listed at Raleigh County, Glen White. He is a mulatto male, 44, with his wife, Lula B. age 44, and with John P (19), Mary V. (18), Charles J. (13) and George C. (8). WV Death Certificate # 4957 indicates that he died on 9/24/1921 at 47y6m0d at Raleigh, BM, married, b. 3/24/1874, occupation was miner, son of Perry Hoover and Julia Johnson Hoover, cause of death - pneumonia. The informant was Lula. (On his death certificate he is listed as "Charley"). On WV Death Certificate # 14414 he is listed as the father of the decedent, John P. Hoover (on this certificate he is listed as Charles C.).

Unidentified Baby

This photo was contributed to this compiler by Elaine Carter (descendant of Socrates Haynes - who was my greatgrandmother Elizabeth's brother). The photo was in a box that was taken from the Ola Dunsmore home on Brushy Ridge, Greenbrier County, WV. So, it is a Dunsmore baby or friend of a Dunsmore's baby.

L. Haynes

This photo only says "L. Haynes" so I can't identify her further. I have been working for the last 24 hours to get my Haynes section (Part 9 of 30 parts) to the Greenbrier Historical Society and the West Virginia Division of Culture and History. Since this Part is about my own family - and since I have so many photos - it seems that it is taking me forever to get it finished. The good thing is that I had neglected my work for so long and this has gotten me invigorated and interested again.

Elvira Hughes / Elvira Huse

Elvira Hughes was born in 1858 in (?Rader's Valley - near Williamsburg) Greenbrier County (GC). She is the daughter or granddaughter of Mary Ann Hughes. She appears as a 10 year old in the 1870 census as "Evaline Hues". In 1880 she is 22y, house help, niece of John Littleton. She is single. In 1900 she is in the Williamsburg District of GC. This census gives her birthdate as 12/1859. She is 40, single, head of household, a farmer. She has had 3 children & all are still living. (Louis - 22; Ray -20; and Annie 15). Also in the household are her ?nephews/cousins - Samuel Kelly (11); Randolph Kelly ( ); and her mother/grandmother Mary A. Huse (age unknown). In this census she is enumerated as Elvira P. She is listed in the GC Deed Book, 44, page 41 regarding real estate in GC. "northern slope of Brushy Ridge adjoining lands of Bobbitt, Brown and Fulwider, about 35 acres". In the 1910 census she is listed in three places (1) is single, age 51, a laundress, daughter of Mary Ann Hughes; (2) BF, 52, servant for Floyd and Emma Jannett; and (3) White Female, 52, servant for Floyd & Emma Jannet (she was probably living in with the Jannett family and, therefore, they gave her information when they gave theirs - & then she was reported at her own home). I don't have an entry for 1920. In 1930 she is in Allegheney County, Pennsylvania (Pittsburgh). She is a Black Female, age 71, b. about 1859 in WV, servant for Emma Reed. Elvira and my greatgreatgrandmother Dora Littleton Spriggs were probably cousins but were raised as sisters. When Dora died, Elvira raised her children, Samuel and Randolph. Elvira's mother, Mary Ann, had been a servant for lawyer/politician/Lt. Governor of Confederate Virginia, Samuel Price. Mary Ann's brother, John Littleton, worked for the Price sisters. The Samuel Price home is near the center of town. I have walked by it a number of times and wish I could go in to see where my ancestor worked.

Joseph Lacy

Joseph Lacy was the husband of Ruth Thomas Lacy. He can be found on the Greenbrier County Register of Marriages in 1874 when he married Ruth Thomas on 3/6/1874. He was 24y. He can be found on the 1880 Census, Greenbrier County, Lewisburg District. He is a Black Male, age 35, shoemaker, with his wife Ruth (30) and with his children John (8), Henry (6), William (4), and with Mary Campbell (25) and Lucy Renick (21) and Charles Renick (infant). He died on 10/31/1895 at 47 years of asthma. He was the father of the decedent William Lewis Lacy (per WV Death Certificate #14269). (WLL died in GC in 1937). William Lacy was the husband of (1)? and then (2) Mary C. Poindexter Lacy. One of his children was Dover Lacy who married Juanita Geneva Haynes. (Juanita appears to have been the daughter of my grandmother Elizabeth's younger brother, James Haynes and his wife Loma Max Moore Haynes). (Juanita and Dover appear to have been the parents of Druscilla Lacy). Dover Lacy is buried at the Neff Orchard Road Cemetery.

Gilbert Warner Haynes "Uncle Doc"

Gilbert was the son of George Washington Haynes and Elizabeth Jane Payne Haynes Haynes Lewis of Brushy Ridge (Greenbrier County). He was the 3rd of 14 children. He married (1) Nellie Barbour Haynes and (2) Jennie Ruth Coleman Haynes. He and Nellie had a child named Ernestine Langford Haynes and she married Charles Walker. He was born on 4/30/1889 at Nickell's Mill. He registered for WWI & WWII. He was a barber,violinist, butler.

What "unidentified church" looks like now

I am going to have to go back and find out who sent me this photo (so I can attribute it to that person) but it is what the church in Union looks like now.

Part 1 of 8 (note written in 2004)

I was very excited as I drove into Lewisburg, West Virginia for the first time in April 1999. Although I had heard of the place I'd never really "considered" it before. I had never been told much about its history or about my ancestors who were from there. But now, I was on a mission. For some inexplicable reason I had decided to document my family's past.

My heart jumped when I saw the sign announcing that Lewisburg was only a short distance away. I strangely felt that I was coming home.

Once in town, I stopped to ask for directions at the General Lewis Inn. Instead of asking for the name of the street, the woman in the reception area of the Inn asked me for the family name of the people I was going to see. I said one name and she looked at me as if it didn't register. A few seconds later she said "Are you African American?". When I answered "yes" she said "And what, again are the family names?" I recited a few. She exclaimed "Well one of your cousins works here, I'll go and get her". A few minutes later my young cousin came into the reception area. I hadn't seen her since she was a baby but I recognized her immediately from a high school picture she had sent me a decade ago. We hugged. "Mom's waiting for you" she said.

As I drove down Route 60, I overshot the bridge after which I was supposed to make a turn. I had been looking for a BRIDGE. In New Orleans (where I live) bridges cover large bodies of water, like the Mississippi River. New Orleans is the home of the longest bridge in the world. I didn't notice the wooden structure which crossed over the two lane road.

As I drove down Route 60 I found myself in what seemed like vast farmland. I flagged down a portly, red faced farmer who was driving on a tractor and I asked him if he knew "where Maple Street might be". He said "No" and that all he could tell me was that I was "driving west on 60". Another mile down I decided I was too far out of town. I made a U turn and headed back. This time it was the farmer's turn to flag me down. "Are you looking for a colored lady named Miss Edna?" he asked. "Yes, that's her" I said. He then gave me the exact directions to Maple Street where I eventually found Aunt Edna's home.

Part 2 of 8 (Note written in 2004)

Her house is on a hill and the area overlooks the town of Lewisburg. It seems to be the area where Black folks always lived. It was more than I had expected.

My almost four day stay in Lewisburg yielded a good deal of genealogical information. It also changed my focus from the very specific task of documenting my immediate family to an obsessive and impossible quest to document the names of every Black, Mulatto, or Native American individual who ever lived in Greenbrier, Monroe, Pocahontas, or Summers County.

During my first days in Lewisburg, my grandmother's first cousin, Harriet Olive Kelly Miller Williams (affectionately called "Aunt Harriet") recited what she knew of the family's history at my Aunt Edna's kitchen table. She tied up some loose ends but inspired a myriad of other questions. She shared her beautiful family scrapbook and promised to let me make copies of some of her photos. She seemed delighted to have met a kindred spirit.

Part 3 of 8 (note from 2004)

It is clear to me, from the information shared at that time and from information collected later on, that the Black residents of southeastern West Virginia (including Lewisburg) were intricately involved in the politics and daily life of the area. One had broken the horse that a Confederate General would later ride (Traveller). One had been the domestic servant for the Lieutenant Governor of Confederate Virginia. Another had been co-counsel in the only case (the SHUE case) in which a ghost helped to convict a man of murder. The famous entertainer "Bricktop" was from there as well as the most famous worker in U.S. history "John Henry". The esteemed photographer, James Presley Ball had registered in Lewisburg as a free man of color in 1847. The disputed child of President Thomas Jefferson (who was the oldest child of Sally Hemings and who was known as Thomas Corbin Woodson) lived in the area for a while.

Part 4 of 8 (note written in 2004)

Soon, and because it was such a short stay, an onslaught of "alive" relatives led me away from genealogy and toward the business of present day life. We spent a great deal of time eating at Shoney's but most of our time was spent sitting around Aunt Edna's kitchent table just enjoying each other's company.

Part 5 of 8 (note written in 2004)

By the time of my second trip to Lewisburg in 2002, I had studied the area a bit more. I had gotten the sense that "political correctness" might threaten to erase the "blackness" from the history of the area. I had read a number of articles where an individual who I knew to be Black was reported with no race. I understand this approach but I feel that I need to document the fact of their existence as well as their race. It is a way to say "We were here too". "We have histories too", and "We also have a claim to this beautiful place".

There were Blacks who owned property in downtown Lewisburg. One became a Congressman, another a Bishop, another was a fortune teller. There were two enslaved girls who inherited property from their master. A few were trustees (politicians). There was a lawyer, and there were laundresses, stonemasons, paupers, and persons who were insane. Most were just plain working folk who made their living in the same manner as we do nowadays -- by getting up in the morning and working hard every day.