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