To say that Percel O. Alston was an accomplished man may be an understatement. As his obituary attests, he was absolutely entrenched in accomplishment and activity. From… Read more “Rev. Dr. Percel O. Alston, A Life Captured in Notice of Death”
Category: Tracing History
The Brewingtons of Sampson County, North Carolina
Mattie Brewington Braswell (1883-1952) was my great-grandmother. Born in Wayne County, North Carolina to free persons of color, the only thing that I knew about her (other… Read more “The Brewingtons of Sampson County, North Carolina”
Eliza Turner and The Record Riddle
As we piece together the lives of our ancestors, it means documenting their deaths as best as we can verify. A great number of my ancestors lived… Read more “Eliza Turner and The Record Riddle”
“Nineteen Years A Slave”—Hardy Ferguson’s Freedom Papers|Greensville Court Records|August 6, 1838
At a Court of Quarterly Sessions held for the County of Greensville at the Court House thereof on Monday the sixth day of August in the year… Read more ““Nineteen Years A Slave”—Hardy Ferguson’s Freedom Papers|Greensville Court Records|August 6, 1838”
The 1844 Will of Thomas Potts of Sussex County, Virginia
This will was penned by Thomas Potts (1790-1846), the father of Capt. John W. Potts (1808-1878), and lists the names of six souls as chattel. My maternal… Read more “The 1844 Will of Thomas Potts of Sussex County, Virginia”
1791 and 1799 “Inventory”—Rather the Enslaved of the Signer, Benjamin Harrison V
May this information help those seeking the names of their ancestors in Charles City County, Virginia. 1791 document is courtesy of J.L. at Charles City County History… Read more “1791 and 1799 “Inventory”—Rather the Enslaved of the Signer, Benjamin Harrison V”
Historical Newspapers: T.W. Thurston and The Silk Mill
Newspapers always have seemed to have a way of expressing hyperbole and extreme characterizations of individuals that they profile. One person that clearly illustrates the sway of… Read more “Historical Newspapers: T.W. Thurston and The Silk Mill”
The Last Will of Benjamin Turner|1810
1810-The Will of Benjamin Turner Southampton County, Virginia, Will Book 7A, p. 109 In the Name of God Amen I Benjamin Turner of the county of Southampton… Read more “The Last Will of Benjamin Turner|1810”
Edward Butts of Southampton County
Just who was Edward Butts, really? There is certainly more than his being the primary executor of Henry Harrison’s estate. While piecing together information in order to… Read more “Edward Butts of Southampton County”
UPDATE: Jamaica and Genealogy
It was a pleasure to have that discussion with Sydian Hammond regarding Jamaica and genealogy. We learned and shared lots of great information, in terms of tracing… Read more “UPDATE: Jamaica and Genealogy”
