Climbing The Brick Wall

 Freedmen

In black African American genealogy,  family history prior to 1870 is  hard to find. The lack of family surnames and documentation has been called one of the brick walls.    

Just before the end of the Civil War in 1865,  the Freedmen ’s Bureau (Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands) was established to aid former slaves and whites in needed assistance for survival.  Attempts were made to provide food, clothing, educate, reunite families, legalize marriages, provide employment, and aid the black military.  This was an ambitious undertaking to provide all these services.  A paper trail however was established which lead the road to finding some of my ancestors.

In the search, I looked for the former slaves with the Brumfield surname in Washington Parish Louisiana, and Pike County Mississippi in Freedman Bureau records. There is voluminous amount of information to review.    I realize that my ancestors may have come from other areas and possibly different surnames.  The homestead records however lead me to believe that these geographic areas must have been considered home.  Home is defined as a place where a person has knowledge, history, and familiarity.  

During my investigation, I looked for names of ancestors in locations where they may have lived.   I looked at Freedman labor contracts.  Labor contracts were established to assist in the employment of former slaves now Freemen.  Terms of employment were established.  In the contract, the name of the former slave was given sometimes with a surname along with the name of the planter.  

 In records of the Bureau of Refugees   Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, Louisiana 1865-1872 I found the following:

 

Charlotte 48(infirm), Harriet 28(good hand), Margaret 16(daughter), Sarah 23, Mary 8 (child of Sarah) Ophelia 4, Sam 2 Grandchildren of Charlotte; Wade 10, Charlotte 8, Keziah 4 signed September 18, 1865 with Wily G. Collins

 

      These are my people!  Charlotte was married to Isham Brumfield and Harriet was married to Gale Brumfield.   Sarah was married to Eli Brumfield (son of Isham).   I have been able locate their  one of their children Keziah granddaughter of Charlotte.

                                                                              -------- The Tree Gardener

Brumfield Settlement Part 4

Gale Brumfield

Gale Brumfield was born in Mississippi on 1825 or 1820   according to the Washington Parish Federal census  in Louisiana   1870  and  1880 respectively .  He was married to Harriett born in 1843 according to the 188o census.  He homesteaded 153 acres of land in Washington Parish, Louisiana beginning in December 10, 1869.  Although his homestead was not in Pike County, Mississippi  relationships  will be identified with other Brumfield families.

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At the beginning of the homestead Gale was the head of a family of wife and eight children.  In the 1870 census, the individuals listed  Thesionie 28,   George 14, Louisa 12, Martha 6, Rosilla 8, Sylvia 10,   Jeanette 4, and William 2  were probably his children based on their ages.  He improved the land by building a corn crib, smoke house and stable. M. M.  Wilson and R. S. Wilson were his witnesses to his homestead.  Gale Brumfield received final title to the land on June 13, 1876.

 

Brumfield Settlement Part 3

Isham Brumfield

Irvin and Robert Brumfield homesteaded 80 and 160 acres respectively in Pike County Mississippi. My mother Irvin Brumfield’s granddaughter stated that Isham or possibly Isom Brumfield was Irvin’s father.  I have yet been unable to verify this information. Subsequent research suggests that this information is incorrect.  Isham Brumfield (Broomfield/ Bromfield) however homestead 160.26 acres of land in Walkers Bridge, Pike County, Mississippi beginning in December 1870. At the time of his homestead, his family consisted of 3 children.  The 1870 Federal Pike County census lists Isham Brumfield as 49 years old with 3 children Eli 14, Henrietta 18, and Hester 10.  His initial application was filed on March 6, 1873. 

  He almost missed the opportunity to own the land because of a missed proof filing date. He missed the filling date after five weekly notices dated from March 12^th to April 9 1880 in the newspaper Magnolia Gazette.   He requested that his homestead application be reinstated which was canceled on January 14, 1881.   The reason for the missed filing in the request for reinstatement was secondary to “severe disease of both of his eyes from which he became totally blind.” and ignorance of the law.  In the testimony of the claimant dated October 21, 1881, he stated he was 63 years old with three children.  He had a dwelling house, and stables valued at $200.00 and cultivated 20 acres, and raised 5 crops. His witnesses Solomon Singleton and Jacob Ellzey also verified his homestead from December, 1870 to October 12, 1881.    Isham Brumfield displayed fortitude of character because with sightlessness his homestead was reinstated and he received title to the land on December 13, 1884.

Brumfield Settlement Part 2

Irvin Brumfield homesteaded 80 acres of land in Pike County, Mississippi submitting an application in September 1, 1870 and receiving title in June 13, 1881.   The Brumfield Settlement described by descendant relatives was over 300 acres.  Adjacent to the Irvin Brumfield homestead was the 160 acre homestead of Robert Brumfield. I have been unable at this time to verify if Irvin and Robert are related.  It is clear however that they knew each other.  Irvin Brumfield and Henry Conerly   were sworn witnesses that verified that Robert Brumfield was on the land beginning on September 12, 1869.

  Robert was the head of a family consisting of a wife and five children. In the 1870 Pike County Federal census,  Robert Brumfield 35 years old  is  listed with Anna 32 years old, Anna M. 10 years old, Jennett 6 years old and Robert 2 years old all born in Mississippi.  He had cultivated 30 acres with a 2 cotton houses, smoke house, crib and stables.  Robert Brumfield received title to the land August 31, 1876.

Brumfield Settlement Part 1

I have been doing research concerning my Brumfield ancestors from Pike County, Mississippi.  Older relatives have told me my ancestor Irvin Brumfield was a farmer who was a former slave. He was not a share-cropper but owned his land. How did he get the land?  

May 20, 1862 while Irvin Brumfield was still  enslaved and the Civil War in progress the United States Government passed the Homestead Act.  There were several requirements in order to obtain the land.  The applicant had to file an application, improve the property and file for the deed of title. An applicant had to be at least 21 years old or the head of a family, live on the land for five years and show evidence of making improvements to the land. The person could not have carried arms against the United States.  It was not necessary to be a United States citizen.

Irvin Brumfield homesteaded 80 acres of land.  He was the head of family which consisted of a wife and 4 children whose names are not given.  Irvin's wife was Louisa and the 4 eldest of his 10 children were Martha Ann, Sherman, Irvin Jr., and William.   Henry Conerly and Calvin Caston were sworn witnesses that verified that Irvin Brumfield  (name listed Ervine  Brumfield) was on the land beginning  September 1, 1870.  He had cultivated 30 acres with a corn crib and stables.  Irvin Brumfield received title to the land June 13, 1881. Irvin Brumfield homestead is a portion of the Brumfield Settlement.
                                                              
                                                                                 -------The  Tree Gardener

Irvin & Louisa Brumfield

         Irvin Brumfield and wife Louisa McEwen (Ellzey)  born about 1846 and 1849 respectively are thought to be former slaves in Mississippi.  In the Federal 1880 Pike County, Mississippi census, Irvin Brumfield is listed as Louis Brumfield.  I have been unable to verify if Irvin and Louis Brumfield is the same individual.  It was not uncommon for former slaves as freedmen to change their names and Irvin may have become the preferred name.   I was able to identify Irvin (Louis) based on the family members listed.  Irvin and Louisa are listed as a family in the Federal 1880 census with 5 children Martha Ann, Sherman,   Irvin Jr., William and Louis.  The quality of the census record is very poor and I cannot read all the details recorded. HIs occupation was a farmer.   Irvin Brumfield and both parents place of birth are listed in the 1880 census as Mississippi.  Louisa McEwen was born in Mississippi and parents were born Virginia.    I have not been able to find Irvin or Louisa in the 1870 census for Pike County, Mississippi but a  22 years old Louis Brumfield is listed.   Their oldest child Martha Ann was born in 1872 therefore Irvin and Louisa may have not been together in 1870.

         My older relatives told me that my Brumfield ancestors owned over 300 acres of land known as the Brumfield Settlement.  This was initially incredible to me. During slavery the family structure was destroyed.     In 1865, Irvin may have been probably 19 years old and Louisa 16 years old.  After the Civil War, former slaves without money, housing, clothes or food of their own were freedmen.  They had nothing to start a new existence apart from life experiences and a will to survive.    How could a former slave buy land?    It took more research to determine if the information was fact or fiction.

------Tree Gardener

Wisdom Wednesday

My father gave my sister and I the following advice concerning saving money prior to marriage " Two can live as cheap as one but only half as long. "

--- The Tree Gardner

The Most Important Things You Can Do

I have had the opportunity to hear internationally known genealogist Tony Burroughs author of Black Roots speak several times.  He suggests the most important things you can do is record your personal history and interview your oldest family member.  I am in the process of writing my personal story.  Recording my story for me is more difficult than researching family genealogy!  My story will be a subject for a different time.

I have through the years “talked to” my older relatives.  I unfortunately, did not have the interviewing skills to ask the questions to provide a full picture of their lives. My  questions consisted of who, what, when, where and how.   I began my research of Brumfield and Bearden families because my older relatives were their descendants. I was told that my Brumfield and Bearden ancestors were former slaves.  My  initial  research started with the Brumfield tree from Pike County, Mississippi  the  first home of my relatives.  I would like to begin with my ancestor Irving Brumfield.

 Irving Brumfield was born in August, 1846 Mississippi  as listed on census records. Through my research he has multiple spelling of his first name Irving, Ervine and Irvin.  He is thought to be part or all Choctaw Indian and mother is listed as Norma Lilian as told by descendants.  This information has not been verified.

I have link to family group sheet.  Will give more information latter.


https://docs.google.com/open?id=0BxDJ-PeOTwHrR244ZDlwbVJ1NXc

Memorial Day Cemetery Graves

Memorial Day was initially a federal holiday to commemorate the dead soldiers after the Civil War.  It later developed into a day to remember deceased relatives. Memorial Day for me as a child symbolized the beginning of summer.   My family would have a cookout and invite friends over for a barbecue.  My deceased relative’s graves were hundreds of miles away.  I rarely visited a cemetery.     

As I became older, I attended more funerals--- immediate family members and close friends were dying.    This Memorial Day I will not be going to a cemetery.  I will be working.     I plan however to visit cemeteries to find ancestors' and friends graves.  I want to know that their remains have not been desecrated.  These people who were dear to me are not forgotten.  

Look at the Burr Oak Cemetery incident. 




My father was buried in a Chicago, Illinois cemetery not  Burr Oak Cemetery.  I have his plot number but his headstone is missing.   I will plan this year to investigate what can be done. If someone has had a similar problem and or solution let me know.

BillionGraves.com has a mobile telephone camera app that allows you to photograph a headstone, transcribe the information and locate the grave in the future.  I plan to use this app when I find locate my friend's and family tree graves.

The Jones Genealogist: To Genealogist Everywhere: We are the Chosen

Why Genealogy is important to me.... The Tree Gardner

THE STORY TELLERS

We are the chosen. In each family there is one who seems called to find the ancestors – to put flesh on their bones and make them live again, to tell the family story and to feel that somehow they know and approve.

To me, doing genealogy is not a cold gathering of facts but, instead, breathing life into all who have gone before.

We are the story tellers of the tribe. All tribes have one.

We have been called by our genes. Those who have gone before cry out to us: tell our story. So we do. In finding them, we somehow find ourselves. How many graves have I stood before now and cried? I have lost count. How many times have I told the ancestors you have a wonderful family you would be proud of us? How many times have I walked up to a grave and felt somehow there was love there for me?

I cannot say.

It goes beyond just documenting facts. It goes to who am I and why do I do the things I do. It goes to seeing a cemetery about to be lost forever to weeds and indifference and saying I can’t let this happen. The bones here are bones of my bone and flesh of my flesh. It goes to doing something about it. It goes to pride in what our ancestors were able to accomplish. How they contributed to what we are today. It goes to respecting their hardships and losses, their never giving in or giving up, their resoluteness to go on and build a life for their family. It goes to deep pride that they fought to make and keep us a Nation.

It goes to a deep and immense understanding that they were doing it for us. That we might be born who we are. That we might remember them. So we do. With love and caring and scribing each fact of their existence, because we are them and they are us. So, as a scribe is called, I tell the story of my family. It is up to that one called in the next generation to answer the call and take their place in the long line of family storytellers.

That is why I do genealogy, and that is what calls those young and old to step up and put flesh on the bones.

Written by Della M. Cummings Wright  Rewritten by her granddaughter Dell Jo Ann McGinnis Johnson  Edited and Reworded by Tom Dunn, (in) 1943. Bob Dunn aka “The Storyteller” of Houston, TX., Author

Mississippi County Map

Mississippi County Map

What Is In A Name?

One of the reasons genealogy research is interesting to me is trying to find the history of my ancestors which helped shape me. When researching black African American genealogy, the search has many elements to consider.  The surname may be from a slave master at the Emancipation Proclamation, former slave master or an adopted name.  Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey was a famous former slave.  He changed his name to Frederick Douglass. Araminta "Minty" Ross is known as Harriett Tubman.  Booker  T.  Washington took the surname Washington from his mother’s husband Washington Ferguson.    These famous former slaves could not verify with certainty the exact year of their birth or biological fathers.  I am however optimistic that my efforts to discover linage will be good.    We now have DNA testing and the Internet which can record, search and shared family history stories. 

My starting point I have made several assumptions concerning my ancestors that 1) predominately of African ancestry 2) they were slaves  3) their surname is the name of the former slave owner 4) the emancipated slaves lived in the same geographic area as their former masters 5) emancipated slaves with the same surname are related. 
None of these assumptions maybe true.

My research of African American Brumfield ancestors and related trees has focused predominately in Pike, Amite, Marion, Walthall, Lincoln counties in Mississippi and Washington Parish, Louisiana.   
In an attempt to trace the origin of the surnames in the states of Mississippi and Louisiana,   I initially referred to a detailed genealogy of the ancestors of Glenn Brumfield  http://brumfieg.tripod.com/ and the book  Source Records from Pike County, Mississippi 1798 - 1910  by Luke Ward Conerly.   www.lukewardconerly.com These sources describe the early family settlers with listed surnames I have researched. These sources mention the Caucasian families who migrated from North Carolina, South Carolina  and Virginia.   In the Luke Conerly's book, he mentions geneologies, church records, census, military records , individuals who own slaves and a few black people who lived in these communities.  Are there any other available sources?    Post let me know.   ------- Tree Gardener

http://brumfieg.tripod.com

Trees in the garden

I have been involved in genealogy research for almost 20 years. The first tree that I began my initial investigation was the black African American Brumfield family of Pike County, Mississippi. From this research, it has lead to other branches of the Brumfield tree and neighboring trees. No family lives in isolation having friends and neighbors whose lives intertwine together which shape personal history.   I have included other family trees on my research journey which have had an influence on my ancestors and me.  My personal goals are to learn about the history of the United States, share information, tear down brick walls and include others in my research journey.

I have been researching the genealogy of the following surnames Barnes, Bearden, Brumfield, Bullock, Caston, Donnell, Edwards, Gatlin, Goff,  Power, Raybon, Smith, Stacher, Strickland, Thomas, Watkins & Wynn.   These trees are in the following states Ohio, Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi, Illinois, South Carolina, Texas, New York, Tennessee & Louisiana. These surnames have been selected because they are connected or related to the Brumfield family. -------- Tree Gardener  

Genesis

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