Marriage Monday

The enslaved in the United States experienced multiple separations of family and friends.  The isolation from familiar people was a tool used to control the behavior by the slave owner.  The emotional connection between a man and a woman was tenuous at best while enslaved.   Informal marriage ceremonies “jumping the broom” were occasionally allowed by slave owners.   Many family relationships were never re-established after the Civil War.  Legal marriage between the former enslaved was not recognized until after the Civil War in 1865. Research has begun to find early marriage certificates.

Eugene McEwen was born on July 6, 1885 in Mississippi. He was a farmer, was called to the ministry, and became a pastor at Pink Hill Church in McComb, Pike County Mississippi. Ellen Conerly was born on November 1887. They were both born in established families in the county.

They were married on September 23, 1906 in Pike County.

"Mississippi Marriages, 1800-1911", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HQFV-RQMM : 25 March 2020), Eugene McEwen, 1906.

Eugene and Ellen were important contributors to their community.

----The Tree Gardener

Lula McEwen Brumfield Bullock and Ellen Conerly Brumfield

 Lula was the third wife of Andrew Bullock.  Lula was born on August, 1879  and her mother Ellen Conerly Brumfield was born on December, 1854 in Mississippi from the information of the 1900 enumeration of the Pike County, Mississippi Federal census. Ellen Conerly is enumerated in the 1880 federal census with daughter Lula McEwen 10 years old, Isaac Brumfield 8 son years old, Mary Powel 5 years old daughter and mother Ma--- (can't decipher) Magee 60 years old. Ellen's mother was born in Mississippi and grandfather in Africa and her grandmother in S. C. designated for South Carolina.

"United States Census, 1880", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4PM-MQQ : Wed Aug 02 23:56:22 UTC 2023), Entry for Ellen Conerly and Lulu McEwen, 1880.

Lula McEwen 16 years old is listed in the 1885 Pike County school census with her mother Ellen Conerly. There is a discrepancy in Lula's birthdate in the 1900 census and the school census. Lula's birthdate would be 1869 according to the school census.

"Mississippi Enumeration of Educable Children, 1850-1892; 1908-1957,"database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QK6W-5975 : 2 March 2021), Lula Mcewen, 1885; citing School enrollment, Pike, Mississippi, United States, Mississippi Department of Archives & History, Jackson.

Ellen married Robert Brumfield Sr on February 11, 1886 in Pike County. She is recorded as Ellen McEwen. Moses Conerly helped post the marriage bond. Moses and Ellen were probably related but the connection has not been identified at this time. Robert's first wife Ann was identified in the 1870 and 1880 Federal census and probably died. Robert Brumfield Sr. homesteaded land in Pike County. Prior information about Robert Sr. and his homestead information was given in prior blogs.

February 11, 1886 Pike County, Mississippi File # 0042194 Book "B" page 37

In the 1890 Pike County school census Robert (Bob) Brumfield Sr. and his children Harriet, Sena, James, John and Jesse K. are listed. Ellen Brumfield with her children Isaac and Mary are also listed. I do not have a formal citation.

Lula McEwen married Robert Brumfield Jr. on July 11, 1893.  Robert was born in 1868 his parents were Robert Brumfield Sr. and Ann born about 1834 and 1839 respectively from the 1880 Pike County, Mississippi Federal census.

July 11, 1893, Pike County, Mississippi File # 0043859 Book "D" page 200 

During the marriage of Lula and Robert, they had three children Joseph born January 15, 1895, Ed  August 10, 1896 and Roberta  June, 1898.

 Ed Brumfield served in the military during World War I. Joseph Brumfield registered for WWI.

Index to a card roster of Mississippians who served in the United States Army, Navy, Coast Guard, or Marines during World War I from 1917 to 1919.

Joseph Brumfield married Maggie Andrews on February 21, 1915  in Pike County.

February 21, 1915, Pike County Mississippi File 0039217 Book "S" page 296

Joseph Brumfield World War I Registration Card

Ed registered for the World War II military. Ed and Joe were living together in Bogalusa, Louisiana.

Joseph Brumfield died on June 16, 1945 in Bogalusa, Washington Parish, Louisiana. 

Research continues to find more information concerning Ed and Roberta Brumfield. 

In the 1896 Pike County school census Robert (Bob) Brumfield Sr. and his Jess 12 years old (Jesse K.) are listed. I do not have a formal citation.

In the 1900 federal census, Ellen Brumfield was enumerated with her children Lula, Isaac, Carry Bell and Coer (Cora). Lula Brumfield was enumerated with her children Joe, Edw00d and Roberta.  Ellen and Lula Brumfield were identified as widows. The causes of death of Robert Brumfield Sr. and Jr. are unknown at this time.

"United States Census, 1900", database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M9XT-1HW : Thu Aug 03 02:34:14 UTC 2023), Entry for Ellen Brumfield and Luler Brumfield, 1900.

Lula McEwen Brumfield  32 years old married Andrew Bullock Sr. 43, on January 12, 1901. Prior information about Andrew Bullock Sr. was given in previous blog posts. Andrew Bullock died on February 15, 1944. They were married for 43 years.  

Ellen Brumfield was enumerated twice in the 1950 census. She is enumerated with her daughters Lula on April 12th recorded age 96 and Cora Brumfield Magee on April 24th recorded age 98. Cora married Oliver Magee on January 16, 1908 in Pike County and was identified as a widow.

was 

Bullock Lula Head F Neg 75 Wd
Brumfield Ellen mother F Neg 96 Wd

"Pike, Mississippi, United States Records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QHN-PQHW-JK6C : August 28, 2023), image 12 of 16; United States. Bureau of the Census.ED: 57-1: Beat 1: Beat 1 - That part Bounded by Beat line; County line; McComb - Tylertown Rd. 

Brumfield Ellen mother F Neg 98 Wd

Magee, Cora daughter F Neg 60 Wd

Cora Brumfield Magee died January 20, 1989 in Battle Creek, Michigan. 

McComb Enterprise-Journal (McComb, 
Mississippi) January 26, 1989

Research continues to find more information concerning Ellen Brumfield's children Mary Powel, Isaac and Carry Bell Brumfield. The death certificates of Lula Bullock and Ellen Brumfield have not been obtained at this time.

--- The Tree Gardener

Tombstone Tuesday Rev Eugene McEwen and Ellen Conerly McEwen

Rev. Eugene McEwen  and Ellen Conerly McEwen

Reverend Eugene McEwen and Ellen Conerly  born in Mississippi were married in 1907  at the ages of 21 and 20 years old respectively from the 1910 census information. Eugene was a farmer and minister. Ellen took care of the children and home. Verification of birth, occupation and spouse are present on Eugene McEwen World War I registration. 

Eugene McEwen World War II registration 

              I have tried to identify members in their family tree.

Family trees of Eugene McEwen and Ellen Conerly McEwen

Their graves are in the Caston Cemetery in Magnolia, Mississippi .The cemetery is an old cemetery about fifty feet off the road at  4022 Old 24 Extension Magnolia Mississippi according to GOOLE maps. Their descendants have placed beautiful granite headstone as grave markers. 

Rev. E. G,  McEwen  1885 to  1953

Ellen Conerly McEwen  Nov 1887  Jan 12, 1920

Reverend Eugene McEwen latter remarried to Zellie unknown maiden name. 


-----The Tree Gardener