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

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