Robert Brumfield Part 1

 

Robert Brumfield was born enslaved in about 1834 in Mississippi. His parents nor enslaver have not been identified at this time.  On September 11, 1869, he filed application #3212 for 160 acres of land at the Pike County, Mississippi Land Office in Jackson, Hinds County. 

 He is enumerated as a 35-year-old farm hand in the 1870 Pike County, Mississippi census with inferred wife and children. His inferred wife was Ann 32, and the children were Anna Bell 10, Jennette 6 and Robert 1 years old.  On August 29, 1876, Robert submitted his final proof document for his homestead. Henry Conerly and Irvin Brumfield were his sworn witnesses. They were prevented from attending in person at the land office secondary to distance and means. The witnesses in a single document stated that he had a wife and six children. He had cultivated 35 acres of land, 2 cotton houses, a smokehouse, crib stables and other houses.  Irvin Brumfield was the son of Liddie Brumfield Caston. Henry Conerly was also a witness for Irvin Brumfield's homestead on August 21, 1877. Robert received his homestead patent on June 24, 1878.

Robert Brumfield is enumerated in the Pike County 1880 census.  He and his wife Ann had five additional children during the intervening years Frank 9, Harriet 6, Cina 5, Jimmy 2 and Jesse 2/12 months. Significantly, Jack Gatlin's family is enumerated on the same census page.

"United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4G1-Y9G : 14 January 2022), Bob Brumfield, Beat 1, Pike, Mississippi, United States; citing enumeration district ED 37, sheet, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), FHL microfilm .

1880 Census

Brumfield,    Bob               Male                46 y

                         Ann           Female             41 y

                        Jenette         Female            15 y

                        Robert          Male                10 y

                        Frank            Male                 9 y

                        Harriet         Female             6 y

                        Cina              Female             5 y

                        Jimmie         Male                 2 y 

            

The Mississippi Enumeration of Educable Children Data Base 1850-1892 and 1908-1957 has been instrumental in identifying families between the years of the United States federal census. The data in the records designate the sex, age and race of the children.  Robert's children attended school and worked on the farm. In the Holmesville, Pike County 1885 census Robert and his children are listed as Robert 16, Harriet 14, Frank 11, Cina 9, Jas (James) 7   and John 5.  On the school census, are familiar names of other parents and children from prior blog posts: Frank Brumfield, Edmond Downs, Gale Brumfield and Eli Brumfield.

Mississippi Enumeration of Educable Children, 1850-1892; 1908-1957," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939F-PV9F-WD?cc=1856425&wc=M6NC-7P8%3A167436801%2C167437202 : 18 September 2015), Pike > 1885 > image 6 of 178; Government Records, Jackson.

A list of established schools in the county with trustees and teachers was identified in the Magnolia Gazette in 1886. Numbers 11, 12 and 13 are African American men who were involved in the education of their children.  The Pink Hill trustees were Jack Gatlin, Robert Brumfield and Jerry Conerly 

The Magnolia Gazette 

Magnolia, Mississippi

 12 Feb 1886, Fri  •  Page 2

 In the Holmesville, Pike County 1890 school census Robert Brumfield's children Harriet 16, Sina 14, James 12, John 9 and Jesse 7 are listed. Other parents and children are listed on the page which includes Thomas Brumfield, Ely (Eli) Brumfield, Irvin Brumfield, Ellen Brumfield and Harry Barnes. 

Robert had one child enrolled in school seen in the Holmesville, Pike County 1896 census Jess (Jesse) 12. On the school census, are familiar names of other parents and children: Irvin Brumfield, Eli Brumfield, Leah Bridges, George and Harry Barnes. 

More information to come.

--- The Tree Gardener

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

Washington Parish, Louisiana Labor Contracts

From caucasian Brumfield genealogy, it is known that Brumfield families travelled from the Carolinas and established homes in Pike County, Mississippi as well as Washington Parish, Louisiana  which was formed from a portion of St Tammany Parish in 1819. 

Following the American Civil War, the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands also known as the Freedman's Bureau was created in 1865. The former enslaved people without money and  few personal possessions  signed labor agreements.  Labor contracts were established with former enslaved people in order to provide food, clothing and housing.   In a prior post "Climbing the Brick Wall",  records of the Bureau of Refugees   Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, Louisiana 1865-1872 I found the following the following labor contract. The people in this labor contract in agreement with Wiley G. Collins was signed in Washington Parish, Louisiana in September 18, 1865 .  Wiley G. Collins signed other labor contracts.  Some of the individuals listed  are relatives of Eli Brumfield from the census and records presented in previous blog posts.  The labor contract does not mention the surname Brumfield. There are two records of the labor contract agreement. The first is the actual contract which was on a previous blog post. It is listed again because of additional information. 

 

Charlotte 48 years old (infirm) was the probable wife of Isham Brumfield. Charlotte's grandchildren are identified as Keziah (Kizzie) 4, Charlotte (Lottie) 8 and Wade 10 years old.  She is not enumerated in the 1870 census with Isham Brumfield and children because being infirm or sick probably died. 

 Sarah (Sally) 23 years old is named on the labor contract. Sarah (Sally) has been identified as the wife of Eli Brumfield. Sally and Eli had two daughters Charlotte (Lottie) 8 and Keziah (Kizzie) 4 which are enumerated in federal census records  as their children and are the grandchildren of Charlotte from this labor contact.  Harriet 28 years old was the probable wife of Gale(Gayle) Brumfield. I have not given information concerning Gale Brumfield's family at this time but will be featured in future blogs. The most valuable piece of information is the notation at the bottom of the page "the whole of the above are one family". There are major discrepancies in the documentation information  with other records correlated with these families. The ages of the individuals doesn't correspond with subsequent information in later federal census enumerations and school records.  There is also a book ledger Records of the field offices of the state of Louisiana,  Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands,  1863-1872. 

In the ledger, there are additional pieces of information not present on the labor contract. There are individuals who might be related to a black Brumfield families namely Hester 25, Thomas 25 and Irvin 14. There are children described as orphans Mary 8, Ophelia 4 and Sam 2.  Specific information about Minerva Arg?? 30 portion of  corn agreement with husband $3 pr month to stay as before rations + clothes + came on place Aug 15 having been away for 2 years.
There are other also people I have not identified them with the Brumfield surname. I have included other labor contracts that are associated with names entered in the ledger.  More to come.

-----The Tree Gardener

FOOTNOTES

1 "Louisiana Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records, 1865-1872," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99G2-6SXW?cc=2333781&wc=STRY-SPF%3A1458447902%2C1444396285 : 20 January 2015), Amite City (assistant superintendent and assistant sub assistant commissioner) > Roll 58, Register of contracts, Jun 1865-Oct 1866 > image 4 of 44; citing NARA microfilm publications M1905 and M1483 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

2 "Louisiana Freedmen's Bureau Field Office Records, 1865-1872," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99G2-6SXW?cc=2333781&wc=STRY-SPF%3A1458447902%2C1444396285 : 20 January 2015), Amite City (assistant superintendent and assistant sub assistant commissioner) > Roll 58, Register of contracts, Jun 1865-Oct 1866 > image 4 of 44; citing NARA microfilm publications M1905 and M1483 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

A Brick In The Wall has Fallen Part 6 Eli Brumfield

 

Eli Brumfield

This is Part 6 of a series identifying the individuals in the above photograph. Eli Brumfield is identified in the above picture as the black man standing on the right side in the picture. Eli has been identified to have lived his entire adult life in Pike County, Mississippi. He and his family are enumerated in the 1920 and 1930 Pike County, Mississippi Federal Census. In the 1920 census, states Eli and Sally were able to read and write.  He continued to work on the farmland that he owned at age 66. They are enumerated with Eli's female cousin and children with the last name Thomas. Their given names written are probable transcription errors. I have been unable to identify them at this time. 

Source Citation Year: 1920; Census Place: Leggett, Pike, Mississippi; Roll: T625_891; Page: 22B; Enumeration District: 100

Source Citation Year: 1920; Census Place: Leggett, Pike, Mississippi; Roll: T625_891; Page: 22B; Enumeration District: 100 transcribed Eli Brumfield 

In the 1930 census, Eli owned his farm but didn't own a radio. In this census Eli, Sallie and Dudley could not read or write.   

"United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X9MQ-P8X : accessed 8 February 2021), Eli Brunfield, Beat 1, Pike, Mississippi, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 1, sheet 4B, line 55, family 84, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 1162; FHL microfilm 2,340,897. 

 

"United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X9MQ-P8X : accessed 8 February 2021), Eli Brunfield, Beat 1, Pike, Mississippi, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 1, sheet 4B, line 55, family 84, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 1162; FHL microfilm 2,340,897. Transcribed Eli Brumfield family

Eli Brumfield died June 2, 1933 in Pike County, Mississippi. A list of births and deaths was reported in the local newspaper under "Colored" deaths. His name is listed near the end of the notice.

Semi-Weekly Journal (McComb, Mississippi) · 27 Jul 1933, Thu · Page 3

 

On Eli Brumfield's death certificate, Sally Brumfield was the informant. They were married for over 50 years.  His parent's names were Isom and Charlotte Brumfield and the etiology of his death was heart disease and "old age".  The interment of his remains is in the Pink Hill Cemetery. 
 

Sallie Brumfield 80 years old was enumerated in the 1940 Pike County census with her son Dudley. I have not located her date of death.  

------ The Tree Gardener

A Brick In The Wall Has Fallen Part 5 Eli Brumfield

Eli Brumfield

This is Part 5 of a series identifying the individuals in the above photograph. Eli Brumfield is identified in the above picture as the black man standing on the right side in the picture. In the 1900 Pike County, Mississippi Federal census, the enumerator recorded that none of Eli Brumfield's children could read or write. In 1900, 44.5 % of Black and other non-whites were literate or unable to read or write in any language.*    His children however did attend school. The Pike County, Mississippi school census was divided into colored and white. I was able to identify Eli's children.  In the 1885 Pike County school census, Kizzie Brumfield 6 years old is listed with her father Eli Brumfield. Their names are at the bottom of the page.

Mississippi Enumeration of Educable Children, 1850-1892; 1908-1957," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939F-PV9F-WD?cc=1856425&wc=M6NC-7P8%3A167436801%2C167437202 : 18 September 2015), Pike > 1885 > image 6 of 178; Government Records, Jackson.

Kizzie (Kizza) 11  and Lotty 6 years old are listed with Ely (Eli) Brumfield in the 1890 Pike County school census. 

Allen County Library Fort Wayne, Indiana  Pike County, Mississippi Records and Correspondence Black families1890 author Serena Abbess Haymon collation 

Lottie 10, Charles 8 and Maude 5  years old are listed with Eli Brumfield in the 1896 Pike County school census.

  

Allen County Library Fort Wayne, Indiana  Pike County, Mississippi Records and Correspondence Black families1896 author Serena Abbess Haymon collation 

Dudley 14 years old is listed with Eli Brumfield in the 1908 Pike County school census. 

The Allen County Library Fort Wayne, Indiana  Pike County, Mississippi Records and Correspondence Black families1908 author Serena Abbess Haymon collation 

The number of days that the children actually attended school a year is unknown. As the children became older, they were probably helping on the farm with their parents.  The quality of education in the segregated school at that time has been well documented in United States history. 

*SOURCE: U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Historical Statistics of the United States, Colonial Times to 1970; and Current Population Reports, Series P-23, Ancestry and Language in the United States: November 1979. (This table was prepared in September 1992.)

------ The Tree Gardener

A Brick In The Wall Has Fallen Part 4 Eli Brumfield

Eli Brumfield

 

This is Part 4 of a series identifying the individuals in the above photograph. This photograph is significate because it is one of the few known pictures of my Black ancestors. It also shows a picture of the individual who subjugated them to slavery.   Eli Brumfield is identified in the above picture as the black man standing on the right side in the picture. Eli lived most of his life in the Pike County, Mississippi area.  I was first able to identify Eli Brumfield 14 years old in the Pike County, Mississippi 1870 census.  In this census, he is enumerated with his presumptive father Isham "Bromfield" Brumfield 49 and his siblings Hester 13  and Henrietta 10 years old.

Year: 1870; Census Place: Township 2 Range 9 East, Pike, Mississippi; Roll: M593_745; Page: 131B; Family History Library Film: 552244

Year: 1870; Census Place: Township 2 Range 9 East, Pike, Mississippi; Roll: M593_745; Page: 131B; Family History Library Film: 552244  Transcribed  Isham Bromfield

Eli Brumfield 24 years old is enumerated in the 1880 Pike County, Mississippi Federal Census with a wife Sarah 17 years old and a daughter  Keziah 1 year old. Please note Isham and Henrietta Brumfield his daughter are enumerated in the household above them on the census page. Isham Brumfield's health is recorded as blind at home and not a farmer. It is reasonable to infer that Eli is the son of Isham Brumfield because they were enumerated in the 1870 census and lived near each other in the 1880 census

Source Citation Year: 1880; Census Place: Pike, Mississippi; Roll: 662; Page: 353C; Enumeration District: 037

  

 

Source Citation Year: 1880; Census Place: Pike, Mississippi; Roll: 662; Page: 353C; Enumeration District: 037 Transcribed Isham Brumfield and Eli Brumfield

Eli and Sally and their children are enumerated in the 1900 Pike County, Mississippi Federal Census. This census is informative because month and year of birth information are given. There are some discrepancies noted from the prior census records. In the 1880 census, Eli's wife's name is Sarah and she and her parents were born in Louisiana. In the 1900 census, Eli's wife Sally and parents were born in Mississippi.  Sally is a nickname for Sarah and she is probably the same individual in both census records.  There are also name spelling discrepancies. Eli and Sarah couldn't read or write so the enumerator was responsible for the name spelling. Eli's occupation was a farmer and he rented the land which is designated on the census form. An individual who farmed rented land was considered a sharecropper. A sharecropper has a legal arraignment with a landowner which allowed him to use the land for a share of the crops which was grown on the land. 

Year: 1900; Census Place: Beat 1, Pike, Mississippi; Page: 11; Enumeration District: 0105; FHL microfilm: 1240825

Year: 1900; Census Place: Beat 1, Pike, Mississippi; Page: 11; Enumeration District: 0105; FHL microfilm: 1240825 Transcribed Eli Brumfield and family

There are major discrepancies in the information correlated with family in the family of Eli and Sarah (Sally) Brumfield. In the 1900 census, Sally is listed as having 5 children and 5 living. There are however  7 children listed as her children. 

More information to come.

-----The Tree Gardener