George Parker George Parker died of grip at his home near Alfred, May 28, 1902. He was born in bondage near Murfreesboro, N. C. Slavery kept few records and the date is not known, but at his death he was probably not far from the allotted age of man. He was sold once. In 1863, … Continue reading The Obituary of George Parker
Reconstruction
Reading Between the Lines: A note from Ira Sayles, 1869
This post examines the letter Ira Sayles, my great-great-grandfather, wrote to his brother James in July of 1869 for its tantalizing clues of sibling whereabouts.Many thanks to cousin, blog-reader, and James Sayles descendant, Sharon Babcock, for sharing her family stash. A bit of Review Ira Sayles (1817-1894) was one of nine children born to … Continue reading Reading Between the Lines: A note from Ira Sayles, 1869
Lucy Boyd Dodson, Freedwoman
In building out my Dodson ancestors’ social and economic ecosystem I asked questions about the enslaved. I wondered if I could find evidence of how their journey from emancipation through Reconstruction differed from the post-war opportunities of my family. In doing this research I uncovered what I believe to be a family tree of Lucy … Continue reading Lucy Boyd Dodson, Freedwoman
A Raise in the South: Vintage Postcards
A road winding through the hilly farms of 1910 Greene County, Pennsylvania was likely to be pitted and ice pocked in late February. Nevertheless, birthdays, particularly of beloved grandpas, required festive acknowledgements. The Ruse family decided to let the mail do the travelling for Christopher's seventy-third birthday, and, via USPS, invited young and old to … Continue reading A Raise in the South: Vintage Postcards
Shoots, Roots, and Leaves 