Lydia (Liddie) Brumfield Caston

 

Lydia was an enslaved black woman born in December 1825 in Mississippi and died July 5, 1916, in Pike County Mississippi. Lydia had offspring from two men with Brumfield and Caston surnames.   Enslaved individuals were not allowed to marry. Some of her children were born before the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863 which freed the enslaved in southern states.  

  Her first consort Louis Brumfield was identified from the death certificate of her son Richard Brumfield born between 1841 and 1843.  Louis is thought to be an enslaved black man.  What ultimately happened to Louis is presently unknown at this time.

Mississippi Death Certificate of Richard Brumfield

Lydia Caston was identified as the mother of Thomas Brumfield on his death certificate. 

Mississippi Death Certificate of Tom Brumfield

Headstone of Irvin Brumfield in the Caston Cemetery

 Irvin Brumfield was born on August 13, 1844,  died on August 27,1900 and Frank Brumfield's death certificates have not been found. Identification of Frank Brumfield is pending.  Autosomal DNA analysis and genealogy research of descendants of Richard, Irvin, and Tom Brumfield have correlated a familial relationship.  The Brumfield children may have different fathers. DNA "Y" chromosome analysis of male descendants is pending. 

Her second husband Calvin "Cad" Caston has been identified through the census, vital records, and his will in previous blog posts. Lydia has been identified by her descendants as Liddie Brumfield Caston.

Henry Sims Brumfield born Feb 5, 1835- Dec 5, 1915, has been identified as the former slave owner of Richard Brumfield Liddle's son. Henry Sims Brumfield was the son of Jesse Kelly Brumfield who was born in York District, South Carolina Mar 12, 1807-July 25, 1884.  They moved to "Love Plantation" near the Bogue  Chitto River south of Holmesville which was previously settled by William Love in 1809. William Love 1758 or 1765 -1839 was born in South Carolina.  The plantation was passed down to Henry Sims. Jesse Kelly Brumfield in 1856 moved to the "Brumfield Plantation"  3 miles east of Liberty Amite County, Mississippi residing to his death.  In the 1860 Pike County, Mississippi slave census enumerated 62 enslaved individuals for Jesse Kelly and 12 individuals for Henry S Brumfield.    It can be inferred that Henry Sims or his father Jesse Kelly were the probable owners of Liddie, Louis, and Calvin. 

 Details concerning how Calvin and Liddie Caston become owners of 80 acres of land in Pike County and information about  Richard, Irving, Tom,  Frank Brumfield,  Elvira, and Rosann Caston have been given in prior blog posts. Liddie continued to maintain the family home with Calvin.   Calvin died July 19, 1912.   In his will, he appointed Silas Caston to be Lydia's guardian without bond.    Lydia continued to live on their land until her death on July 5, 1916, at 90 years old.

 After the death of Liddie, the homestead land still had her name on the deed. A notice for the sale of land for taxes for Pike county, Mississippi was published in the newspaper on the first Monday of July, 1931. The sale of land was to be on the Magnolia court house for cash for unpaid taxes. Property with Silas and Lydia Caston's names is listed for sale. 

Semi-Weekly Journal 

McComb, Mississippi

 13 Jun 1931, Sat  •  Page 8

Taxes were paid in 1931.  On the third Monday in September, 1935 property with Lydia Caston's name is listed for sale for outstanding unpaid taxes.  I have not researched land records to determine the present land ownership.  

Semi-Weekly Journal  

McComb, Mississippi

 05 Sep 1935, Thu  •  Page 6

----The Tree Gardener

Footnote

Charlotte J. Stewart, Brumfield Blossman Printing Inc. Ocean Springs, Mississippi pages  25, 32

Gail (Gayle) Brumfield

 

I  first identified Gale Brumfield with his children  in the 1885 Pike County, School census. He is listed with  Edmund Downs, Frank Brumfield, Eli Brumfield, Robert Brumfield, Irvine (Irvin) Brumfield, Tom Brumfield and Calvin Caston. It is from this school record I am convinced he knew these men and their families. I decided to search for more information about Gale Brumfield.  

I was able to locate Gail (Gayle) Brumfield in the 1870 Federal Census in  Washington Parish, Louisiana. It is important to note that everyone was born in Mississippi except William 2 years old born in Louisiana. It is inferred that  Theonise Brumfield is his wife. She however was not his wife from other information to follow. The children's names which are enumerated with Gayle Brumfield correspond to the names in the 1885 Pike County, Mississippi school census. 

Year: 1870; Census Place: Ward 2, Washington, Louisiana; Roll: M593_535; Page: 224A; Family History Library Film: 552034

Household Members	Age
Gayle Brumfield	45
Theonise Brumfield	28
George Brumfield	14
Louisa Brumfield	12
Sylvia Brumfield	10
Rosellia Brumfield	8
Martha Brumfield	6
Jeannette Brumfield	4
William Brumfield	2

Gale Brumfield is enumerated in the 1880 Federal census in Edward Dykes, Washington Parish, Louisiana. In this census record his wife is identified as Harriet. Also, Willie 10 and Sylvia 21 are identified as Gale Brumfield's nephew and niece. Theonise Brumfield who is no longer enumerated was possibly Gale Brumfield's sister.

Source Citation Year: 1880; Census Place: Edward Dykes, Washington, Louisiana; Roll: 473; Page: 167D; Enumeration District: 194

Household Members	Age	Relationship
Gale Brumfield	60	Self (Head)
Harriet Brumfield	48	Wife
George W. Brumfield	25	Son
Sylvia Brumfield	21	Daughter
Rosellia Brumfield	19	Daughter
Martha A. Brumfield	17	Daughter
Jennetta Brumfield	14	Daughter
Grant Brumfield	11	Son
Wesley Brumfield	9	Son
Oliver Brumfield	7	Son
Oscar Brumfield	5	Son
Joseph Brumfield	1	Son
Willie Brumfield	15	Nephew
Sylvia Brumfield	21	Niece

From labor contracts from Washington Parish, Louisiana (seen in previous blog), I was able to identify the wife Sarah (Sally) and two children Keziah (Kizzie) and Charlotte (Lottie) of Eli Brumfield. Eli Brumfield was enumerated with them in the Federal Census of Pike County, Mississippi.  Gale Brumfield’s wife Harriet was identified in the labor contract and the 1880 Federal census for Washington Parish, Louisiana.  I do not know at this time if Gale and Harriet Brumfield are related to Eli, Isham, or Charlotte. Their lives and children however are intertwined with each other.    

----- The Tree Gardener

Tombstone Tuesday Thomas Caston Sr.

 CASTON CEMETERY

Thomas Caston Sr.

The  Caston Cemetery an old cemetery about fifty feet off the road at  4022 Old 24 Extension Magnolia Mississippi according to GOOLE maps. There is no sign on the highway to identify the existence  of a cemetery. There is  however a cyclone metal fence gate at the highway entrance.

Thomas  T."Tommie"  Caston Sr. is buried in this cemetery. He is the grandson of  Joe Williams, Liddie Brumfield Caston and Calvin Caston. Tommie was married to Gladys Tillman July 7, 1926 in Pike County Mississippi. 

There are discrepancies on the date of birth for Thomas T. Caston Sr.

On the 1900 Pike County, Mississippi Federal census he is enumerated with his parents and his birth date is December, 1894. On his World War I registration records a birthdate of December 15, 1895 and the tombstone December 23, 1894. 

 

Year: 1900; Census Place: Beat 1, Pike, Mississippi; Page: 9; Enumeration District: 0105; FHL microfilm: 1240825

Precious are our memories ...

-----The Tree Gardener

A Brick In the Wall Has Fallen Part 1 Ancestral Photograph

Ancestral Photograph

In my research of my family trees, one of the biggest challenge is to find information prior to 1870 in the United States concerning black African Americans.  In genealogy parlance, it is a "brick wall".  It is considered a major brick wall because prior to 1870 enslaved black people were not enumerated by first and last name in the United States federal census.

 It is important to know there were exceptions where black or people of color were enumerated in the federal census prior to 1870. In the 1790 and 1810 census, free non-white people were entitled in a category of "all other free persons".  It is not clear if this distinction included black and or native american people. Free people of color were enumerated in the federal census in 1850 and 1860.  The Federal Mortality schedules of 1850 and 1860 slaves are listed and cause of death.  Military records can also be a source for locating black African Americans prior to 1870 who were union and confederate soldiers.  In the 1860 census, enslaved black people were enumerated who were over 100 years old.  These enslaved black centenarians were usually listed by first name only. I have included a link with listed names and locations.
https://sites.rootsweb.com/~ajac/slave100up.htm. 
  
 My family’s roots were planted in the southern portion of the United States.  Prior to 1865, most black African Americans were someone’s property as slaves. I have made the assumption that my ancestors were enslaved.  In prior blogs, I have focused on the descendants of   Liddie Brumfield Caston an enslaved woman who had two husbands with two sets of children in Mississippi. Louis Brumfield her first husband who was probably enslaved was sold or died.  Calvin Caston who was Liddie’s second husband whom she helped established a homestead. The blended family tree of Liddie Brumfield Caston.
 Elvira's surname maybe  Brumfield or Caston based on information found on records which will be disclosed latter blog. The surname of the former enslaved may be from a slave master at the time of the Emancipation Proclamation, former slave master or an adopted name. In the case of Liddie Brumfield Caston, the surname of the former slave owner was retained. 
A brick in the wall of Liddie Brumfield Caston family tree has been removed with the help of the descendant of Henry S. Brumfield. A photograph was given to my cousin Manuel Graves by Laura Brumfield descendant of Henry S. Brumfield   identifies several of our ancestors. 

The Black individuals in the picture are Calvin "Cad" Caston and Lydia Brumfield "Bromfield" Caston,  Richard Brumfield "Dick Bromfield" and Eli Brumfield "Bromfield".  The Caucasian   individuals are Henry S. Brumfield "Grandpa Bromfield" Lucinda Brumfield Andrews "Aunt Lucinda Andrews" and Joseph Warren Brumfield "Uncle Joe Bromfield". This is an amazing and exciting discovery. More information concerning the individuals in the picture will be coming in future posts.


Forever Grateful ----- The Tree Gardener

Liddie and Calvin Caston son Isham Caston

Isham Caston

Isham Caston is thought to be a son of Liddie and Calvin Caston.  He is listed with his parents in the 1870 Pike County,  At the time of the enumeration, he was 12 years old with a calculated year of birth of 1858.   The 1870 Federal census does not identify familial relationships.

Year: 1870; Census Place: Township 2 Range 9 East, Pike, Mississippi; Roll: M593_745; Page: 128B; Image: 262; Family History Library Film: 552244

Caston Calvin 38

                   Lydia 43

             Thomas 17

             Elvira 15

             Rosann 14

             Isham 12

             Green 10

             Silas 7

             Jesse 4
             Adeline 3

His name appears again in the Pike County School census in 1878 as 19 years old.  In the school records, the location and a child’s name is listed but not the parent or guardian.  Isham name is recorded with other children who have been identified to be children of Liddie and Calvin.  

 "Mississippi, Enumeration of Educable Children, 1850-1892; 1908-1957," images, <i>FamilySearch</i> (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-14208-33487-64?cc=1856425&wc=10918067 : accessed 22 Feb 2014), Pike > 1878 > image 111 of 200.

His name does not appear with the family in the 1880 census. He would have been 21 years old and possible living on his own.  I have not been able to locate him in the federal census or any other records.  I have not performed an exhaustive search and I do not know if he had any descendants but the search continues.  Possibly  a family member will know what happen to him.

-----The Tree Gardener

Irvin Brumfield Identified

 I have been trying to identify the Brumfield children of Liddie Brumfield (Caston) and Louis Brumfield.  One of Liddie’s children  was Tom Brumfield. In my genealogy research, I have found several men with the name of Irvin Brumfield who lived in Pike County, Mississippi. I have been trying to ascertain if Irvin Brumfield born August, 1846 is a child of Liddie .

I have established that Irvin Brumfield definitely knew Liddie Brumfield's second husband Calvin Caston. Calvin Caston was a sworn witness on Irvin Brumfield’s homestead application. Tom Brumfield was a sworn witness on Calvin Caston’s homestead application.  The children of Tom and Irvin Brumfield and Calvin Caston are listed on the 1885 Pike County, School record.  Irvin’s children’s names were Martha Ann, Irvin Jr., William, Sherman, Louis, George, Isom, Mamie, Daisy and Mattie.

It was exciting for me to meet Eddie Brumfield Sr.  His grandfather was Tom Brumfield son of Liddie and Louis Brumfield. Irvin Brumfield Sr. died in 1900 before Eddie Sr. was born. Eddie Brumfield Sr.  however knew the some of the children of Irvin Brumfield Sr. They were  Irvin Jr., Isom, Sherman, Louis, Mamie and Mattie who were his father’s Willis age and his cousins.  I believe Tom Brumfield and Irvin Brumfield were brothers.

         

Irvin Brumfield Sr. would be Eddie Brumfield Sr. grand-uncle .

----The Tree Gardener

Calvin Caston Last Will and Testament 2

Lydia Caston petitioned the court on April 11, 1913 to receive the stated benefits in the will of her late husband Calvin Caston.  It is in this document the date of death of Calvin Caston is recorded  as July 19, 1912.  

 Calvin Caston had his insurance policy from the Masonic Benefit Association through the M. W. Stringer Masonic Grand Lodge.  This black Masonic lodge was organized in Vicksburg, Mississippi by Thomas W. Stringer in 1867 and received it's charter in 1873. This was the first black Masonic lodge in the state of Mississippi. I am happy to say that this organization is still in existence in Jackson, Mississippi. I would also like to mention that Thomas W. Stringer was the first black man elected to the Mississippi state legislature and started several other lodges in Louisiana.

Calvin Caston had the Masonic benefit policy more than 30 days and less than a year. Calvin's will was found to be true and admitted to probate.  All debtors and funeral expenses are usually paid and any remaining money is given to the beneficiaries. His heirs were eligible for $300 which equivalent to $7221.20 in 2015.  It is not known how much money Lydia and Silas Caston received after debts were paid.   

-----The Tree Gardener

Calvin Caston Last Will & Testament

A will and testament is a legal document that names a person or persons to manage an estate or personal property after the death of another person the testator. Calvin Caston had a will.

 It was through a search of the website Ancestry.com  that I found the Last Will & Testament of Calvin Caston.  I have searched for several years concerning the date Calvin Caston died. The state of Mississippi did not register deaths until November, 1912. Calvin Caston died July 19,1912. At the time of his death, he was still a resident of Pike County, Mississippi.  His will and testament were recorded on March 29, 1912. Calvin was a member of the Masonic Benefit Association.  As a member of this association, he purchase a policy with a graduated payout with a maximum face value of $700.00 he bequeathed 1/3 to his wife Lydia Caston and 2/3 to his son Silas Caston. Seven hundred dollars in 1912 would have an approximate value of $16,874.00  in 2015. It is clear from this act that he wants to ensure that Lydia would have the financial means to care for herself and the family homestead would be maintained through his son Silas. 

Will of Calvin Caston

Will of Calvin Caston

More information to come.

----- The Tree Gardener

FAN

FAN is a mnemonic in genealogy circles for Friends, Associates and Neighbors.  In my genealogical research,  I try to accumulate information from my ancestor's FAN (Friends, Associates & Neighbors) club. The FAN of ancestors is comparable to the modern social network.   I have many surnames which include my ancestors names, their neighbors, their in laws and my in-laws. I have also found that in  genealogical  research that having the same surname in the same geographic area does necessarily equal a blood relationship.  Some surnames of individuals have no  obvious relationship I have seen repeatedly in my research.  I can not resist saving information of a family that lived in same geographic area and may or may not be  related to an ancestor.       


I have been able to people in connect FAN connections from geographic location using homestead information from the Bureau of land Management. The chart has information posted in a previous blog except for Calvin Caston.

Walkers Bridge Pike County, Mississippi

All of these men possibly knew each other prior to establishing a homestead. Calvin Caston was probably the stepfather of Irvin and Tom Brumfield. Henry Conerly knew Calvin Caston, Robert and Irvin Brumfield.  Possibly Henry Conerly and Joseph Conerly are related. I found Henry and Joseph enumerated in the 1880 census.

Henry Conerly 55 years old and Joseph Conerly 23 years old enumerated  in the  Pike County, Mississippi 1880 Federal Census

Maybe they homestead near each other because they had were friends or previously lived together.  

------The Tree Gardener

UPDATED October 11, 2022

Calvin Caston Where's the Proof ? Part 2

Part 2

Calvin Caston filed a homestead application August 15, 1870.  He built housing, planted crops and paid taxes on the property. In May 28, 1880 his homestead was cancelled.  

Homestead Application number 4260 at top of form

Calvin  failed to provide final proof of his homestead. Several events occurred which prevented submission of final proof.  On February 24, 1885 , Calvin Caston made a sworn affidavit  to the clerk of the circuit court of Pike county, Mississippi to reinstate his homestead. I have attempted to try to transcribe a portion of the affidavit:

Calvin Caston Request for Homestead Reinstatement

  

" ... at the time he should have made final proof on the said homestead he had a death in his family (can't decipher) a grown daughter and that he was confined to bed with a long spell of (can't decipher). That soon after he learned that his Htd was cancelled he came before the clerk of the court and petitioned the United states Land Department to reinstate him in (can't decipher) Homestead. That said petition was lost or miscarried on its way to Jackson.   That being uneducated and ignorant of the law he did not know what else to do.  That he has paid the taxes on the land several years and he thought in doing so he was doing his duty as a law abiding citizen and that in doing so

 Calvin Caston Request for Homestead Reinstatement and signature

it would give him the right to hold the same.  That he has lived on said land thirteen years and has made crops that many seasons.  He raised cotton, corn peas, potatoes in the land contracted in said Homestead that has erected on said land the following improvements  to with dwelling house, corn crib, stables (can't decipher) has sixty acres of the said in cultivation.  That his improvements that he has erected in said land is worth about three hundred dollars.  That he has completed with the same in the settlement and cultivation of said Homestead as faithfully as his extremely limited knowledge of the same enabled to do.  The premises considered he prays the United States department to reinstate him in said Homestead and permit him to make final proof on same as it is his only chance for a home for himself now in old age and his three children dependant upon him for a home in which to live."

"Sworn to and subscribed this                   his

24th day of Febry AD 1885"             Calvin X Caston

                                                                         mark

Calvin Caston homestead was reinstated April 4, 1885.

----- The Tree Gardener

Calvin Caston Homestead Part 1

A Place To Live

Calvin Caston is enumerated in the Pike County Federal August 12, 1870 census.  In the 1870 census, familial relationships are not identified but the individuals listed with him all have the same surname.  I have listed the family members in a previous blogs. Interestingly, post-Civil War most black people with the Caston surname lived in nearby Amite County.  I have not been able to connect Calvin Caston to that county. The Bureau of Land Management is a source of information concerning land patents and homesteads in the United States.   Calvin a farmer applied for a homestead in Pike County, Mississippi on August 15, 1870.  His application was for 80 acres. 

The homestead process to obtain land consisted of filing an application, improving the land, and filing a deed of title.  The homesteader had to live on the land for 5 years, improve the land by planting crops and build a dwelling 12 by 14 size. Proof of residency had to be established before the deed was issued. Calvin's homestead records give an insight into his life and family.  He had life circumstances that cause a long delay in receiving title to the land. He did not receive a title deed for 21 years until  August 19, 1891. More to be discussed.

------ The Tree Gardener