Tribute Tuesday Mamie Brumfield Bullock

In the post-Civil War era, providing living necessities to the enslaved was no longer the responsibility of the taskmaster. The former enslaved received no remuneration for past work. The development of legalized black African American segregation and Jim Crow laws became prevalent throughout the United States. These laws were to deny the former enslaved and their descendants access to all opportunities and promote a type of indentured servitude.  The ability to receive any health care was no exception. 

The McComb City Hospital in Pike County was a 2 story building constructed in 1911 and was the area's only hospital until Southwest Regional Medical Center was established in 1969.  There were major medical disparities between black and white patients on all levels of healthcare.  The Hospital Survey and Construction Act (Hill-Burton Act) of 1946 a federal program provided construction grants and loans to build hospitals. This law codified the concept of "separate but equal" for black and white patients in hospitals. McComb City Hospital was known to have a "colored" annex.  The annex was an area that relegated black African American patients from accessing the entire hospital. 

McComb City Hospital

Black African American women throughout the healthcare system responded by becoming midwives. A midwife at that time provided medical care to pregnant women and their infants.   These midwives also known as  "Direct Entry" or "lay" midwives had practical skills obtained as an apprentice.  The midwife's services were important because of segregated hospitals,  women didn't live near a hospital and were less expensive than physicians.

 Mamie Brumfield Bullock was a midwife in Pike County. 

Mamie Brumfield Bullock

Mamie Brumfield Bullock was born August 23, 1886 in Pike County, Mississippi.  Her father was Irvin Brumfield Sr. and her mother was Louisa McEwen. Irvin Brumfield Sr. was a son of Liddie Brumfield Caston. Irvin Brumfield homesteaded land in Pike County discussed in prior blog posts. Mamie Brumfield married John Bullock on December 5, 1904 in Pike County (license file #0049444 book "L" page 99).

As a midwife, Mamie would make home visits to attend expectant mothers in labor wearing a uniform of white dress, stockings and shoes carrying her leather medical bag. She performed home births.

"In Mississippi, black midwives were the most prominent and honored members of their communities—the female equivalent of preachers. They were at the core of the time-honored healing networks in rural African American communities and served as counselors and spiritual leaders. Although already held in high esteem by their own communities, midwives rose in status among whites as a consequence of state certification." 

I have been unable to identify how long she was a midwife. Mamie Bullock's contribution to the community can not minimized. She died on April 15, 1972 according to the Social Security Death Index. Her remains are interred at St. James Missionary Baptist Church cemetery in Pike County, Mississippi.

Her life was a blessing and memory a treasure.

---The Tree Gardener

 

·  Article Title Midwives

·         Author Lane Noel

·         Website Name Mississippi Encyclopedia

·         URL http://mississippiencyclopedia.org/entries/midwives/

·         Access Date September 15, 2023

·         Publisher Center for Study of Southern Culture

·         Original Published Date July 11, 2017

·         Date of Last Update October 10, 2020

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

MEMORIAL DAY 2023

 For many, Memorial Day is considered the first day of summer a time to celebrate with family gatherings, shopping, cookouts, and vacations. It is however a solemn day. Let us now hold each other close, forgetting grudges and disappointments within our family. 

 Memorial Day was established as a United States federal holiday to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice and died while serving in the military.  "The   National Moment of Remembrance," asks all citizens to have one minute of silence at 3 PM local time in tribute to those who died in the military.  Taps Across America will be played for the fourth year at that time.

This day is also a day I have chosen to acknowledge and remember all non-military family members who have died.  I would like to recognize family members who have died from all causes from Memorial Day 2022 to the present. We will remember the smiling faces, and life lessons learned, and celebrate their lives. I want to thank Terence Caston for allowing me to post this moving message from the Home Going of his beloved wife Constance Cross Caston. 

NAME	DATE	LOCATION	Parents
Harry Caston Jr.	July 9, 1936 to February 15, 2023	Sacramento, California	Son of Harry Caston Sr & Mattie Varnado
Smith Warren	December 7, 1931  to February 10, 2023	McComb, Mississippi	Son of William Warren & Mamie Caston
John Brooks Jr.	April 21, 1953 to February, 2023	Hattiesburg, Mississippi	Son of John Hunter Brooks Sr & Dorothy Ellzey
Bernice Allen Weatherspoon	April 28, 1946, to December 7, 2022	Magnolia, Mississippi	Daughter of Claude Allen & Norine Caston
Constance Cross Caston	July 31, 1963 to December 20, 2022	Kennesaw, Georgia	Johnnie W. Cross Jr. & Janet Yvonne Cross Wife of Terence Caston
Alton Brumfield	June 20, 1944  to                December 26, 2022	Merrillville, Indiana	Son of Richard Lee Henry Brumfield & Wilmetta Maria Gowdy
Willie Toins Jr.	November 27, 1936 to December 30, 2022	Flint, Michigan	Son of Willie Toins Sr & Rovelia Lane
Willie J. Nichols	August 20, 1936 to March 7, 2023	Compton, Los Angles, California	Son of Roy Nichols & Ethel Brumfield
Ruby Lee	March, 2023	Flint, Michigan	Granddaughter of Charlie Barnes and Bertha Brumfield
Anthony Tyrone Brumfield Sr.	June 17, 1959 to February 27,  2023	New Orleans, Louisiana	Son of Slim Brumfield & Emma Barnes
Charlie Lee Barnes	February 13, 1937 to March 5, 2023	St. Charles, Missouri	Son of Charlie Barnes & Bertha Brumfield
Donald Patrick Brumfield	December 14, 1953 to December 20, 2022	Clinton, Hines, Mississippi	Son of Thad Brumfield & Mildred Hodges
Harold Smith	September 21, 1943 to October 15, 2022	Bolingbrook, Illinois	Son of  Henry Smith & Charlene Caston
Hattie Mae Brumfield	March 11, 1941 to February 5, 2023	Chicago, Illinois	Salina Veals & Eddie Brumfield Sr.

Andrew Bullock Part 4

 

Andrew Bullock

Andrew and Lula Bullock continued to reside in Pike County. Andrew preceded Lula in death on February 15, 1944, after 51 years of marriage. His death announcement was in the newspaper.

Enterprise-Journal McComb, Mississippi February 22, 1944

From the birthdate February 1858 recorded in the 1900 census, Andrew was actually 86 years old at the time of his death. He was a father to 14 children and 3 step-children. He has over one thousand descendants.

Lula with her mother Ellen Brumfield is enumerated in the Pike County 1950 census. Lula's son June Bullock's family is enumerated with his family. 

"United States 1950 Census", database, FamilySearch (ark:/61903/1:1:6FMC-QZQJ : Sun Jan 29 20:07:48 UTC 2023), Entry for Bertha Lee Wanzo and Melvin Wanzo, 13 April 1950.

Lula and June Bullock 1950  Federal Census Transcribed

Name Relationship Sex Race Age married/single

divorce/widow

never married

Bullock June Head M Neg 43 Mar
Blanche wife F Neg 42 Mar
Eugene son M Neg 19 Nev
Edgar son M Neg 17 Nev
Beatrice daughter F Neg 15 Nev
Joe Louis son M Neg 14 Nev
Billy Joyce daughter F Neg 12 Nev
Bonnie Clyde daughter F Neg 8 Nev
Audrey Yvonne daughter F Neg 6 Nev
Leander son M Neg 5 Nev
Bullock Lula Head F Neg 75 Wd
Brumfield Ellen mother F Neg 96 Wd
June Bullock and Blanche Gardener married in Pike County on March 16, 1925.

Lula Bullock more information to come...

 

---The Tree Gardener