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| Benjamin Prather's Aquarell |
Hester Danforth was born enslaved in April 1837 in Tennessee. Though she and her parents may have been originally enslaved by the Danforth family in Blount County, Tennessee, I believe their original enslaver was Benjamin Franklin Prater / Prather. And from him to his daughter Letitia.
Hester stated in several censuses that her parents were born in Virginia and it was from Virginia that the Prather family moved to Roane County, Tennessee.
As so often is the case, we get glimpses of Hester's early life only through the lives of her enslavers and Letitia Prather is the common thread. Because of Letitia, Hester left Tennesse for Missouri. Then on to Memphis, Tennesse and finally to Texas with Letitia, her enslaver. In her lifetime Letitia was born into the very powerful, wealthy family of Benjamin F Prather who was friends with people like Sam Houston. She would go on to marry three powerful, wealthy and politically connected men. The Danforths are still a political dynasty in Missouri. Daniel Berry was one of the richest men in Missouri and had his fingers in everything. And Louis A Powell was a wealthy early settler of Texas.
Like her enslaver Letitia, Hester would marry three times. However, Hester would be separated from her parents and siblings by slavery. Due to decisions by her enslavers Hester would be separated from her first husband, Oscar Danforth when she and her children were forced to leave Missouri. She would go on to marry again and have more children, building a new family. She had to be a strong, resilient woman.
Josiah Findly Danforth was born 31 Aug 1800 in Maryville, Blount County, Tennessee and died 15 Aug 1849 in Las Vegas, San Miguel County, New Mexico. He was the son of Josiah Findly Danforth Sr 1755 Massachusetts -1817 Tennessee and Sarah Blodget 1757-1815. He was a successful merchant, farmer, politician and founder of Springfield, Missouri.
Josiah married Letitia Prather on 8 Dec 1830 in Roane County, Tennessee. Letitia was born 22 July 1816 in Roane County, Tennessee and died 14 Apr 1886 near Strafford, Greene County, Missouri. Letitia was the daughter of Benjamin Franklin Prather who was born 30 April 1772 in Lynchburg, Campbell County, Virginia; died 30 May 1851 Roane County, Tennessee and Nancy Elizabeth Layne 1777-1833.
Letitia Prather's family lived west of Knoxville in Roane County, Tennessee (now Loudon County.) Their home there was called Aquarell, built just after 1797, on the Holston River (later called the Tennessee River) overlooking Prater's Ferry. Aquarell was built by enslaved labor with brick walls 18" thick. Located at the end of Beals Chapel Road about 5 miles NE of Lenior City, it overlooks a lake today.
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| Location of Aquarell, the Benjamin F Prather Home |
Mentions of the Prather enslaved from family correspondence:
"He [Benjamin Prather] kept his money in kegs in the attic and once a thief came to steal those kegs of gold and during his act of thieving set the house afire. Great grandfather lined up his negroes from the river to the house and passed buckets of water from one to another and put out the fire.
"The slaves of Benjamin Prather were allowed to have Saturdays off in order to work around the community. His negroes were said to be the best trained workers in that section of the country for which reason they were in great demand. The money they made on their day off was kept by the slaves for this own use. The negro women were engaged to do spinning and weaving and the men did the field work."
29 May 1807 Roane County, TN
Benjamin Prather purchased "Negroe woman Jean" for $400 from John Sherrall.
1830 Census Roane Co TN Benjamin Prater
32 Slaves: 2 M under 10, 5 M 10-23, 3 M 24-35, 8 F under 8, 3 F 10-23, 7 F 24-35, 4 F 36-54
Some insight into the character of Benjamin Prather from family correspondence:
"... it was customary for any persons traveling from one place to another to stay and ask for lodging wherever night overtook them. Quite often such persons made it to the Ben Prather plantation because he had a large house and afforded excellent lodging. Since practically everyone rode horseback in those days usually in making long trips, only the best mounts were used. It has been said of [him] that after his guests were settled for the night he went to the barn and if he found a horse that particularly pleased him, he tied a silk thread above the horse's hoof cutting off the circulation. The next morning when the traveler's horse or horses were brought around for him to mount he was found to have a swollen foot. At this juncture, [he] volunteered to trade the stranger a horse for the lame one. Naturally the horse he offered the stranger in the trade was not one of his best ones."
Will of Benjamin Prater Roane County, TN
Written 24 Nov 1842 Probate 1 June 1851
... to my dau Elizabeth Ish the wife of Alexander Ish a certain negro girl named Dianah and the balance of my negroes 67 in number together with their increase until my death to be equally divided into 7 lots. But no negro man and his wife to be separated and the family to be united as much as possible. And if the lots cannot be made equal there shall be money added out of my estate to make them equal and the children of my son Samuel Prater decd to have one lot, the heirs of my son Thomas Prator to have one lot. My daughter Elizabeth Ish w/o Alexander Ish to have one lot. My son George Prater to have one lot. My daughter Clarissa Johnston wife of Josiah H Johnston to have one lot. My son William Prater to have one lot. My daughter Letitia Danforth wife of Josiah Danforth to have one lot and three disinterested men to make the division and to be chosen by my Exectors. The lots to be numbered on paper, put in a hat or box to be drawn by the heirs or some disinterested person, And the lot they may draw they shall be satisfied with.....
...
7th. I give to my old negro woman Abigail the interest of 200 dollars of my money to put at interest during her life and to live with any of my children she may think proper. When the said two hundred dollars to be equally divided as the balance of my property amongst my children.
Executors: Alexander Ish and William Prater
When this will was written in 1842, Benjamin Prather had 67 enslaved plus Abigail and Dianah.
Note: I have yet to find court documents regarding the "lots" division of the enslaved or any other property.
It seems that during 1844 Benjamin began gifting his children, or at least some of them, their share of enslaved. It was around this time that Letitia moved enslaved from Tennessee to Missouri. We also know that Letitia received additional enslaved from her father's estate. This is probably when Hester left Tennessee and moved to Missouri. We do not know if either of her parents or any of her siblings also went to Missouri.
On 10 June 1844 it looks like Benjamin's son-in-law Alexander Ish mortgaged his wife's share of the enslaved:
Recvd of Benjamin Prater Sr $ 2,750 payment in full for 13 negroes: Lovey aged 40 or 4years, Charles 28, Bethanie and child James the first aged 18 years the latter 7 months, Mary aged forty or four years, Leana 19 yeas, Burr 17 yrs, Freeman 13 yrs, Amanda 10 yrs, Joshua 8 yrs, Lavinia 6 yrs, and Dalilah 4 yrs and Diana 12 yrs which negroes I warrant sound and sensible with the exception of Lovey Leana and Bom/Burr who are suffering from bodily disease and further more I do warrant and defend the right title interest and claim of said negroes to the said Benjamin Prater his heirs and assigns forever against the claims of me oe my heirs Executors assigns and Adminstrators and against the claim or claims of any other person or persons whatsoever in witness whereof I do hereunto affix my hand and seal this day and year I have written. Signed Alexander Ish
Witnesses: George Thompson, H B Leeper, James Prater
A partial list of Benjamin Prather's enslaved:
Evaline born abt 1819 - mother of Albert b abt 1842.
Jean - born before 1807 see above Bill of Sale
Abigal "old woman" in 1842
Dinah "girl" in 1845
Marry born abt 1804
Lovey born abt 1804
Charles born abt 1816
Leana born abt 1825
Bethany mother of James born abt 1826
Burr born abt 1827
Freeman born abt 1831
Amanda born abt 1834
Joshua born abt 1836
Lavinia born abt 1838
Dahlilah born abt 1840
James s/o Bethany born abt Dec 1843
Diana born abt 1832
On 27 Sep 1848 Wyatt Layne planed an advertisement in the Republican Banner, a Nashville publication, seeking the return of an enslaved man named Simon, age 22, with a $100 reward. Benjamin Prather was his previous enslaver. Wyatt Layne was Benjamin's nephew.
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| Advertisement for escaped enslaved Simon |
1850 Slave Schedule Roane Co TN Benjamin F Prather
71 Slaves:
80-year-old Black female b. abt. 1770 - possibly Abigail
56-year-old Black male b. abt. 1794
50-year-old Black female b. abt. 1800
36-year-old Black female b. abt. 1814
45-year-old mulatto female b. abt. 1805 - possibly Marry or Lovey
54-year-old Black male b. abt. 1796
49-year-old Black male b. abt. 1801
29-year-old Black male b. abt. 1821
27-year-old Black male b. abt. 1823
38-year-old Black male b. abt. 1812 - possibly Charles Ish? David Ish? May have been later enslaved by Benjamin's daughter Elizabeth Ish.
30-year-old Black male b. abt. 1820
25-year-old Black male b. abt. 1825
24-year-old Black male b. abt. 1826 - possibly Burr
22-year-old Black male b. abt. 1828
22-year-old Black male b. abt. 1828
21-year-old Black male b. abt. 1829
19-year-old Black male b. abt. 1831 - probably Freeman
57-year-old Black female b. abt. 1793 - possibly Leven Ish? May have been later enslaved by Benjamin's daughter Elizabeth Ish.
43-year-old Black female b. abt. 1807
49-year-old Black female b. abt. 1801
26-year-old Black female b. abt. 1824
35-year-old Black female b. abt. 1815
34-year old Black female b. abt. 1816
19-year-old Black female b. abt. 1831
20-year-old Black female b. abt. 1830
19-year-old Black female b. abt. 1831
18-year-old Black female b. abt. 1832 - possibly Nancy Prater? Enslaved by Benjamin's grandson James, son of Thomas.
18-year-old Black female b. abt. 1832 - probably Diana
16-year-old Black female b. abt. 1834 - possibly Amanda
16-year-old Black female b. abt. 1834
13-year-old Black female b. abt. 1837 - possibly Hester Danforth
12-year-old Black female b. abt. 1838 - probably Lavinia
15-year-old Black male b. abt. 1835 - possibly Joshua
17-year-old Black male b. abt. 1833
13-year-old Black male b. abt. 1837
11-year-old Black male b. abt. 1839
10-year-old Black male b. abt. 1840
14-year-old Black female b. abt. 1836
10-year-old Black female b. abt. 1840 - possibly Dahlilah
10-year-old Black female b. abt. 1840
6-year-old Black female b. abt. 1844
40-year-old Black female b. abt. 1810
40-year-old Black female b. abt. 1810
8-year-old Black male b. abt. 1842
11-year-old Black male b. abt. 1839
8-year-old Black male b. abt. 1842
5-year-old Black female b. abt. 1845
4-year-old Black female b. abt. 1846
2-year-old Black male b. abt. 1848
10-year-old Black male b. abt. 1840
6-year-old Black female b. abt. 1844
5-year-old Black female b. abt. 1845
7-year-old Black male b. abt. 1843 - probably James, son of Bethany born in December
10-year-old mulatto male b. abt. 1840
6-year-old Black male b. abt. 1844
5-year-old Black male b. abt. 1845
4-year-old Black male b. abt. 1846
3-year-old Black female b. abt. 1847 - possibly Sarah Ish? May have been enslaved by Benjamin's daughter Elizabeth Ish.
5-year-old Black male b. abt. 1845
3-month-old Black male b. abt. 1850 - possibly Jefferson G. Ish, Sr.? May have been enslaved by Benjamin's daughter Elizabeth Ish.
6-month-old Black female b. abt. 1850
8-year-old Black female b. abt. 1842
7-month-old Black female b. abt. 1850
2-year-old Black male b. abt. 1848
4-year-old Black female b. abt. 1846
4-year-old Black male b. abt. 1846
22-year-old Black female b. abt. 1828 - possibly Parthena Ish? May have been enslaved by Benjamin's daughter Elizabeth Ish.
14-year-old Black female b. abt. 1836
11-year-old Black male b. abt. 1839
1-year-old mulatto male b. abt. 1849
1-year-old Black female b. abt. 1849
Immediately after their marriage in 1830 Josiah Danforth and and his 14 year old bride, Letitia, left Tennessee traveling by ox drawn carts headed to Gasconade County, Missouri, but soon after arriving Josiah purchased land in Greene County, Missouri and they settled there. They first built a log cabin on a knoll overlooking Pearson Creek valley which was a resting point during the Cherokee Trail of Tears at Walnut Forest. This village no longer exists, but the location is near Strafford, Missouri.
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| Greene County, Missouri 1850s |
Construction of their large brick home began about 1847 and was not completed until after Josiah's death. 8 enslaved were said to have built the house and more than one source says they were Letitia's enslaved from her father Benjamin. Letitia's enslaved which she brought from the south made the brick for the house in a kiln near the large spring that heads Pearson Creek. The house was not completed until 1851.
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| Josiah F and Letitia Danforth home near Strafford, MO |
1840 Census Greene County, Missouri - Josiah F Danforth
9 Slaves: 1 M under 10, 3 M 10-23, 2 F under 10, 1 F 10-23, 2 F 24-35
From the Slave Narrative of Nelson Danforth, enslaved of Josiah F Danforth's brother Erskine Danforth:
"Josiah Finley Danforth owned much land East of Springfield, and was a member of the state legislature for several terms. In order to regain his health, which had been poor, he started overland for California in 1849, and died on the way, in New Mexico, in that year. The large brick home which he had commenced building on his land east of Springfield, was completed by his widow, and still stands, a fine building."
In 1849 Josiah was traveling to California but only got as far as Las Vegas when he became gravely ill and died. He gave "his loyal slave Cato" his freedom and Cato was asked to bring back to Josiah's widow Letitia the family Bible and his watch.
Will of Josiah Findly Danforth Greene County, Missiouri
Written 30 Apr 1849 Probate 6 Oct 1849 Book A #3 pg 662
... I will and bequeath unto my beloved wife Letitia Danforth all the property both real and personal and all debts, dues and demands that are due and owing to me...
... authorizing the said Letitia Danforth to sell and dispose of all and any property that may be subject or is going to waste either by Public or Private Sale, keeping and reserving to herself for her own use and the use of my children as much as she may need. Renting and Managing the lands to the best advantage, hiring a part or all of the negroes as she may think best and should any of the Servants prove refractory and unmanagable then and in that case she is hereby allowed and permitted to sell them and put the money to such use as she may think most profitable, not allowing it to be squandered, requiring the said Letitia to educate and clothe the children out of the proceeds of the property without disposing of lands or negroes for that purpose, all to be done free of charge to them. The rents of lands, increase of Stock and hire of negroes being sufficient I wish my children to have a liberal Education.
Note: Josiah F Danforth was a very wealthy man He left behind his widow, Letitia, and several children.
1850 Slave Schedule Greene County, MO Letitia, widow of Josiah F Danforth
19 Slaves: F 44, F 34, F 26, M 24, M 22, M 28, M 21, M 18, M 14, F 15, M 10, M 8, M 5, M 4, F 6, F 3, F 3, M 2, F 2
On 26 May 1851 Letitia Prather Danforth married Daniel Dorsey Berry in Greene County, Missouri. Hester would now be his legal property.
Daniel Dorsey Berry was born 16 July 1805 in Baltimore, Maryland and died 9 Oct 1862 in Memphis, Tennessee. He was the son of Benjamin Berry 1868-1815 and Elizabeth Ridgely Dorsey 1765-1839. Daniel married 1st Olivia Marbury Polk 1811-1850 and they had at least ten children. He and his second wife, Letitia, had one son: Alexander Russell Berry 1852-1918.
1843 Tax List Greene County, MO D D Berry
12 slaves, pleasure carriage, 2 timepieces and more.
1850 Slave Schedule District 34 Greene County MO Daniel D Berry [prior to his marriage to Letitia]
72 Slaves: M 45, M 35 Mu, M 18 Mu, F 16, M 8 Mu, F 4 Mu, F 4 Mu, M 2 Mu, F 2 Mu, F 32 Mu, F 8 Mu , M 7, M 6, M 4, F 78, F 12, M 10, F 5, F 7Mu , F 6 Mu, M 4 Mu, M 2 Mu, F 28 Mu, M 11, M 10, M 9, M 6, M 5, M 3, F 34, M 20, M 34, M 28, M 25, M 25, M 16 Mu, M 24 Mu, M 25 Mu, F 20, F 18 Mu, F 17 Mu, F 15 Mu, F 13, M 21, M 25 Mu, F 50, M 21, M 25, F 25,
Daniel Berry was said to be the wealthiest man in Greene County, Missouri. In fact he owned over 6 square miles of property in that county, plus thousands of acres of land in nearby counties. By 1860 his real estate was estimated at $175,000 ($6,811,000 today) and personal property was valued at $125,000 ($4,865,000 today.)
In 1856 Greene County Assessor's books listed him with 32 slaves, 20 horses, 44 cattle, 63 jacks and mules, 2 pleasure carriages, 7 town lots in Springfield, and 2268 acres of land in Greene County for a total evaluation of $58,580 which would be $22,885,000 today. This was just for his Greene County propery and does not include his land and property in other Missouri counties which were many.
Sometime before 1853, Hester married Oscar Danforth, Sr. Oscar was born enslaved about 1831 in Tennessee and died after 1905 in Springfield, Missouri.
Hester and Oscar Danforth had the following children:
- Sarah Danforth born abt 1853 Greene County, MO; probably died in Texas
- Dilsey Danforth born July 1856 Greene County, MO; died abt1911 in McLennan County, TX. She married Charlie Anderson [see below for children]
- George Danforth born 1858 Greene County, MO; died 3 Mar 1936 in Bosqueville, McLennan County, TX. He married 1.Charity Weaver. Their children: Levier Danforth b1879 TX and Oscar Danforth 1887-1956. He married 2. Lovie __?__ and they had a son L T Jenkins b1906 TX.
1860 Slave Schedule Campbell Township, Greene County, MO Daniel D Berry
43 Slaves; 4 Slave Dwellings: M 60, F 48, M 20,M 12, F 16, F 60, M 14, M 17, M 14, M 14, F 40, F 18, M 15, M 40, M 40, M 18, M 8, M 5, M 2, F 40, M 18, F 8, M 5, M 3, M 26, F 25, M 2, F 24, M 5, M 3, M 3mos, F 23, M 5, M 0, M 2, M 2, M 25, F 22, F 5, F 4, M 1, F 55, F 22
Note: The persons in bold are probably Oscar, Hester and their children. This record does not include enslaved in other counties where Berry owned property.
Then came the Civil War. After the firing on Fort Sumter, the Missouri Governor had a company of State Guard organized in Greene County which was commanded by Daniel Berry's son-in-law Captain "Dick" Campbell. The Confederates evacuated Springfield, Missouri and headed to Arkansas. About October 1861 Daniel Berry and his family and some of his enslaved evacuated for Memphis, Tennessee. His "mansion house" in Greene County, Missouri became Union troops headquarters and later a hospital for the war wounded.
On 8 November 1861, after Berry had left, there was a "Slave Stampede" in Springfield, Missouri. More than 150 enslaved escaped into the Union camp of abolitionist Brig. General Joseph H Lane's Kansas Brigade, known as the Jayhawkers. Although Lane allowed slaveholders to search his camp not a single freedom seeker was recaptured. Lane was headquartered in the home of Daniel Dorsey Berry who had left behind 5 enslaved when he fled to Memphis. The 150 enslaved were escorted to Fort Scott, Kansas. The wagon train stretched out over a mile and in the end included approximately 218 enslaved who all reached freedom. I suspect Oscar Danforth was probably not in Springfield at this time, but was on another of Berry's properties which were at some distance. Otherwise he may very well have sought his own freedom with the Jayhawkers.
Between Feb 1861 and 9 Oct 1862 when he died, Berry can be traced through probate records. There is a bill for "medicines for deed" along with an expense for sending a messenger from Memphis to Bolivar, TN. A deed was recorded in Bolivar and an invoice for "moving Negroes and furniture to Memphis" as well as other receipts. Hester and her children were among those making the move, however Oscar remained with other of Berry's enslaved in Missouri. Though Berry's probate records contain 179 pages I can find no appraisement or record of the sale of enslaved. The estate was not finally settled until after 1889.
Still in Missouri, Oscar Danforth remarried in 1862 to Ruth whose maiden name may be Jarrett. Oscar was a Blacksmith and lived at 916 S Grant Street in Springfield, Missouri most of his life and died there after 1905. He always said his parents were born in Tennessee but we do not know their names. He and Ruth had 6 children all born in Greene County, Missouri.
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| Oscar Danforth family home in Springfield MO |
Children of Oscar Danforth and Ruth
- Georgia Danforth born 1862 married C Thomas Kimbro/Kimbrough 1862-1900 and had at least one child.
- Mary Danforth born 1864
- Minta / Mintie Danforth born 1866
- Cora Danforth was born 9 July 1870 and died 1 Jan 1937. She married Edward Ellison 1870-1947, a Frisco Railroad worker. He is the son of Katie Larkin Ellison b1852 AL d Christian County, MO
- Dora Danforth was born 1871 and married John Layton. They had at least 9 children.
- Peter A Danforth was born May 1874. He married Mattie b1877 in Kentucky. Peter was a Blacksmith. In the 1900 Census Peter is living next door to his parents and a half brother James Headley.
Ruth's children from a previous marriage
- James Headley born Sep 1854 MO married Clara b 1854 MO. They had a son Robert b1874. James was a Stone Mason and lived in Greene County, MO all his life.
- Jane Headley born 1856 MO
- Lucinda Headley born Jan 1857 MO and died 6 Dec 1909 Springfield, MO. She married Alexander George Ward 1856-1920. They had 9 children.
- Manda Headley born 1859 MO
By 1865 Letitia was living in Texas with her enslaved. Among them were Hester and her children.
Letitia married Louis A Powell on 25 Aug 1865 in Cherokee County, Texas.
Louis A Powell was born 1806 in North Carolina and died 1878 in Texas or Missouri. He and his first wife Emily had at least 8 children. He and Letitia had no children together. Louis A Powell was the enslaver of Luke/Louis Powell born about 1836 in North Carolina and his father Thomas born about 1812 in North Carolina.
1840 Census Attala County, MS Lewis A Powell
13 Slaves: 2 M under 10, 3 M 10-23, 2 M 24-35, 1 M 36-54, 1 F under 10, 1 F 10-23, 1 F 24-35, 1 F 36-54
On 20 May 1846 Powell received a patent for 1,476.13 acres of land in the Robertson District of Navarro, County, Texas. This tract of land was granted to his heirs after Powell's death.
In 1849 Powell purchased two tracts of land totaling 1600 acres in the Robertson District of Navarro County, Texas.
All of the above land was part of the Robertson's Colony, an empresario grant to Sterling C Robertson in the 1830s. It became part of Navarro County in 1946 and later part of it became McLennan County in 1850.
1860 Agriculture Schedule. McLennan Co TX
1300 ac: 140 improved, 1160 unimproved. 15 horse, 6 mules, 16 milk cows, 12 working oxen, 34 other cattle, 100 swine
1860 Slave Schedule Bosqueville, McLennan County, TX
9 Enslaved: M 65, M 40, M 36, M 34, M 23, M 16, M 3, F 45, F 18
1865 Tax Roll Cherokee County, TX - Louis A Powell
Note: this was just an index, so there were no details given.
By the terms agreed to when Letitia married Daniel Berry in 1851, Letitia was to receive $400/year from Berry's estate in exchange for renouncing her dower claims. She was paid $1,200 in 1865 for the years 1863, 1864, and 1865. She also was entitled to all of the property she brought into that marriage and until the end of the war she had her enslaved with her, as well as some of Berry's. As part of Berry's estate settlement Letitia accepted a cash settlement in January 1867 in Waco, Texas. By the 1870s Letitia was back in Greene County, Missouri at her Danforth home where she died in 1886.
About 1867 Hester Danforth married Luke / Louis Powell. Luke was born about 1836 in North Carolina. He was the son of Thomas Powell who was born 1812 in North Carolina. Luke and his father Thomas were both enslaved by Louis A Powell, husband of Letitia Prather Danforth Berry.
Thomas Powell married Mary Evans 1833 - 1915 before 1850 and they had the following children:
- Lemira / Semira Powell born 1850 TX She had a daughter named Chloe born 1870
- Chloe Powell born 1859 TX
- Elijah R Powell born 1860 TX and died 1936 Waco, TX. He married Louisa Weaver 1865-1943. They had 8 children. Louisa was the daughter of Arthur Weaver and Evelina Chaffier.
- Mariah / Mary Powell born 1863 TX
- Anne "Annie" Powell born 1868 Waco, TX and died 15 July 1924 Chatt, Hill County, TX where she was living with her son Thomas James "Tom" Anderson. Anne married R John "Jettie" Anderson on 17 Dec 1885 in Waco, TX. They were married by Reverend E B Weaver. Annie was a widow by 1910. They had at least 4 children.
- William Powell born 1872 TX
- Edward
Hester Danforth and Luke Powell's children:
- Missouri Powell born about 1867 TX and died after 1950 probably in Waco, TX. She married James Stephens 1866-1950 and they had at least 5 children.
- W D Powell (male) born 1872 TX
- Thomas Powell born 1873 TX. In 1900 his sister Mary and her two daughters were living with him.
- A L Powell (female) born 1875
- Mary E Powell born 1878. She married 1st James Knott 1875-1900 and they had 2 children and 2nd William Davis b1867. They had 2 children together. [James Knott may be related to the Knott family here.]
Luke Powell's children from a previous marriage:
- Lafayette Powell born 1855 Bosqueville, TX and died 21 May 1934 Ross, TX. He married Ophelia b1861. Lafayette was a farmer.
- Ishman/Ishmael Powell born 1858 TX and died 13 May 1933 McLennan County, TX. He married Tishey Owens b1862 and they had 4 children. Ishman was a farmer.
- Abraham Powell born 1863
- Esther / Hester Powell born 1867 and died 10 Jan 1938.
1867 Freedmen's Bureau Records McLennan County, TX
Luke Powell and others VS L A Powell
Complains that Louis A Powell has this 4 Jan 1867 made them vacate his premises - that said Powell refused to furnish them rations and while they are now in employed in gathering in their crop according to contract. Settled.
1870 Agriculture Schedule West of the Brazos River, McLennan County, TX
Luke Powell - 30 improved acres. 1 horse, 6 swine, 400 bushels Indian corn.
Next to him is his father Thomas Powell with 15 improved acres, 1 horse, 2 swine, 150 bushels Indian corn.
1870 Census East Waco, McLennan County, TX
Dwelling 93 Family 77 all Black
Powell, Thomas 58, bNC Works in Brickyard Luke's father
Mary 37 bAL Thomas md2 Mary Evans 1833-1914.
The following children are Luke's half siblings.
Lemira 20 bTX
Chloe 1 bTX
Elias 10 bTX
Maria 7 bTX
Anne 2 bTX
Dwelling 94 Family 78 all Black
Powell, Luke 34 bNC Works in Brickyard
Esther/Hester 33 bTN
Sarah 17 bMO
Dilza 15 bMO
George 14 bMO
Missouri 3 bTX
Lafayette 14 bTX
Ismael 12 bTX
Abraham 7 bTX
Esther 3 bTX
1870 Census West of Brazos River, McLennan County, TX
Dwelling 561 all Black
Powell, Richard 64 bNC Farm Laborer brother of Thomas (the father of Luke)
Thema 49 bMX
Ismael 14 bTX
Dwelling 560 Family 553 all White
Powell, Louis 64 bNC Farmer. Real Estate$3750 PersProp$1000
Letitia 53 bTN
* Many Black Powell families nearby
1873 Cherokee County, TX
Dilsey Danforth married Charlie Anderson on 27 Dec 1873. It is interesting they married in Cherokee County since they were living in McLennan County. Seems like a long way to travel - roughly 130 miles. However, in 1865 the enslaver Louis A Powell was on the Cherokee County tax rolls and this is where he married Letitia Prather Danforth Berry. It's reasonable to assume Dilsey (and her mother Hester and siblings) lived there at that time and in 1873 still had family and friends there.
By 1865 there were 250,000 enslaved in Cherokee County. After the war the freed enslaved founded many of their own communities. The Texas Freedom Colonies Project has located 19 freedom colonies in Cherokee County: Blount’s Chapel, Bulah, Church Hill, Cuney, Delmer, Elm Grove, Green Chapel, Holly Springs, Jacksonville, Lost Ball, Macedonia, Mount Comfort, Mount Haven, Mount Olive, New Hope, Old Larissa, Pine Grove, Pine Hill, Pleasant Plains, Pleasant View, Rock Hill, Shady Grove, St. Thomas Chapel, Sweet Union, Weeping Mary, and Woodville. It's possible Dilsey's family and friends lived in one or more of them.
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| Cherokee County Freedom Colonies Credit: University of Virginia and Dr Andrea Roberts |
Charles "Charlie" Anderson was born 1 Mar 1850 in Mississippi and died 27 Feb 1937 in Oklahoma. He is the probable son of Sarah Anderson. She was born about 1820 in Mississippi and died sometime after 1880 probably in Waco, TX. Though we do not know her parents names, they were both born in Virginia. Known children of Sarah include: Charlie, Aaron, Sam, Major and Abram. Charlie, Sarah and her other children were enslaved by Dr Reuben Anderson and his wife Jane. They moved from Mississippi to Freestone County, Texas around 1863.
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| The Andersons lived NW of Fairfield near Kirvin. |
In 1866 Charlie was in Waco, Texas.
1866 Freedmen's Bureau Records 1865-1878 Waco, McLennan County, TX
Munro Turney FMC vs John Elliott, Charlie Anderson, John Crockerum, Ike Kinney, all FMC [Free Men of Color] Cause of Action: Assault and Battery, Threats, etc. on Saturday Nov 17th at 2pm.
Case withdrawn. Plaintiff not appearing.
1867 Voter Registration July 1867-69 McLennan County, TX Line #213
Charlie Anderson, Colored, born in Mississippi, registered to vote on July 1.
1867 Voter Registration Freestone County, TX
Abram Anderson, Colored, registered to vote on July 25. Charlie's brother (son of Sarah)
Though I have gone through several county's 1870 Census - page by page - I did not find Charlie listed. However, I did find his mother still in Freestone County.
1870 Census Freestone County, TX PO Fairfield
Dwelling 148 all WHITE
Anderson, Jane 48 bTN Widow (of Reuben)
Ella 20 bMS
William 18 bMS
John A 17 bMS
Reubin 15 bMS
Hugh H 13 bMS
Dwelling 149 all BLACK
Anderson, Sarah 50 bMS
Aaron 17 bMS
Sam 11 bMS
Major 7 bMS
Luke Powell died in 1878. In the 1880 Census Hester is a widow living with her children. Meanwhile Charlie Anderson's mother is still in Freestone County. See below.
1880 Census Waco, McLennan, TX
Dwelling 177 Family 177 all BLACK
Anderson, C 28 bMS Farmer
Dilsey 23 bMO Wife Mother bTN
Jincy 5 bTX Daughter
Matty 2 bTX Daughter
David 1 bTX Son
Brown, Julia 6 bTX Boarder
Anderson, Abram 17 bTX Brother Fieldhand Brother of Charlie/son of Sarah
Dwelling 178 Family 178 all BLACK
Powell, Hester 48 bTN Father bVA Widow
Missouri 13 bTX Father bMS Mother bTN
Thomas 7 bTX
A S 5 bTX Daughter
Mary 2 bTX
Dwelling 179 Family 179 all BLACK
Danforth, George 24 bMO Farmer Father bMO Mother bTN Brother of Dilsey (son of Hester)
Charity 19 bArk This is Charity Weaver daughter of Harriet
Levier 1 bTX Daughter
Watkins, James 19 bTX Laborer Boarder
Dwelling 183 Family 183 all BLACK
Weaver, Harriet 36 bARK Mother of Charity (wife of George Danforth)
Seab 20 bARK Parents bARK Fieldhand
Missouria 16 bTX
Stephen 9 bTX
Charles 8 bTX
H E 2 bTX (daughter)
Dwelling 191 Family 191
Powell, Thomas 67 bNC Mother bNC Farmer Luke Powell's father
Elija 21 bTX
Mariah 18 bTX
Annie 14 bTX
Hester 13 bTX Niece
William 8 bTX
On 9 Oct 1871 the Texas Governor imposed martial law on Freestone county due to reports of coercion and fraudulent voting in Fairfield. New elections were ordered and carried out in the presence of bayonets with voters in single file marching to the polls. White voters alternating with Black in the long line. There were two elections like this and each took four days.In 1880 we find Charlie Anderson's mother Sarah living Freestone County within the household of Jane Anderson, widow of Reuben Anderson, her former enslavers.
1880 Census Freestone TX
Dwelling 213 both W and B
Anderson, Jane M 58 bTN Parents bVA WHITE Widow of Dr Reuben Anderson
John 28 bTN Parents bTN Farmer WHITE
Ruben L 25 bTN Parents bTN Farmer WHITE
Badgett, Sam 30 bTX Father bLA Mother bVA Farm Laborer BLACK
Anderson, Sarah 60 bMS Parents bVA Widow Domestic Servant Cook BLACK
Hobbs, John 40 bVA Parents bVA Farm Laborer BLACK
On the same page of that census is Sarah's son (Charlie's brother) Aaron with his wife Vina and their children. Aaron married Vina Carter on 13 Sep 1873 and she was a widow by 1900. Another brother, Major, is also still in Freestone County.
1880 Census Freestone County, TX
Dwelling 225 all BLACK
Anderson, Aaron 30 bTN Father bTN Mother bVA Farmer
Vina 35 bAL Father bAL Mother bGA
Lelia 19 bTX
Adam 16 bTX
Margaret 14 bTX
Sarah 13 bTX
Titus 11 bTX
Andrew 9 bTX
Dwelling 545 both W and B
Henry, Caleb 32 Farmer WHITE
Matilda C 26 WHITE
Mary L 2 WHITE
Anderson, Major 17 Farm Laborer BLACK Charlie's brother (Sarah's son)
Gibson, A H 54 Widow WHITE
Johnson, Carey 21 Farm Laborer BLACK
Henderson, R 21 Farm Laborer BLACK
Griffith, John L 23 Laborer WHITE
Prince, Peggy 25 Laborer BLACK
1880 AG Schedule Freestone TX Aron Anderson
60 acres on shares.1 milk cow, 2 oxen, 2 calves, 3 cattle. 30 lbs butter, 4 swine, 20 poultry. 20 ac Indian corn/100 bushels. 21 ac cotton/5 bales. 1/2 ac sweet potatoes/11 bushels. 6 ac tobacco/30 lbs. 8 cords wood
1880 Agriculture Schedule District 106 McLennan County, TX Charlie Anderson
Charlie was renting on shares. 20 ac. 10 ac Indian Corn / 150 bushels; 10 ac cotton/3 bales. Value of farm with all implements 4350. 3 mules. 1 milk cow, 1 other , 1 calf. 20 lbs butter. 6 swine, 20 poultry, 100 dozen eggs. 50 cords of wood cut
On 27 Nov 1888 Hester Danforth Powell married Dudley Whitaker in McLennan County, Texas. The were married by Reverend E B Weaver who was probably related to Charity Weaver, wife of George Danforth who was Hester's son. Dudley Whitaker was born in May 1842 in Alabama and died about 1933 in Waco, Texas. He was first married to Dorsey Deckard, daughter of Samuel Deckard and Charity Ricks. Hester and Dudley had at least one child. Lillie Whitaker was born Oct 1888 in McLennan County, Texas. [See more about Samuel Deckard and Charity Ricks]
1900 Census Precinct 4, McLennan County, TX
Dwelling 24 all BLACK Renting Farm
Anderson, Charlie 50 bMS May 1850 Parents bMS Farmer
Dilsey 43 bMO 16 children born/10 living
Lula 19 bTX
Ben 19 bTX
Cora 16 bTX
George 15 bTX
Josiah 13 bTX
Heather/Hester 11 bTX
Charley 8 bTX
Aggie 7 bTX
Lucille 3 bTX
Jimie bMay 1900 TX
Dwelling 36 all BLACK
Whitaker, Dudley 58 bAL
Hester 65 bTN Parents bVA 14 children born/6 living
Clara 20 bTX Daughter of Dorsey Deckard
Thomas 17 bTX May be son of Hester
Lillie 12 bTX
Dwelling 37 all BLACK
Danforth, George 44 bMO Father bMO Mother bTN Farmer Dilsey's brother (Hester's son)
Charity 43 bARK Parents bARK 1 child born/1 living
Oscar 20 bTX Named after George's father
1910 Census Bosqueville, McLennan County, TX Nace and Barquero Roads
Dwelling 116 all BLACK
Danforth, Oscar 28 bTX Son of George/grandson of Hester
Maud 23 bTX
Carl 3 bTX
Oscar Jr 18 mos bTX
Dwelling 119 all BLACK
Anderson, Charles 60 bMS Farmer Renting farm
Dilsey 49 bMO
Georgia 25 bTX
Josie 22 bTX
Hester 21 bTX
Charlie 19 bTX
Aggie 17 bTX
Herman 9 bTX
Dwelling 120 all BLACK
Anderson, Ben 28 bTX Ben is Charlie and Dilsey's son
Georgia 25 bTX
Mattie L 9mos bTX
Dilsey Danforth Anderson died on 2 Feb 1911 in McLennan County, Texas. She is buried in Bosqueville Baptist Church Cemetery in Bosqueville, McLennan County, Texas.
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| Bosqueville Baptist Church Cemetery |
Dilsey's mother, Hester Danforth Powell Whitaker, died sometime before 1912. She disappears from the records and her husband, Dudley Whitaker, remarried in June 1912. So far I have not found a death certificate for her or where she is buried.
By 1920 Charlie has moved to Oklahoma with some of his children. Hanna, Oklahoma was in the Creek Nation. There were early buildings there in 1895. In 1902 a US Post Office was established at Hasson/Hanna. It is about 35-40 miles south of Beggs, Oklahoma.
1920 Census Hanna, McIntosh, OK
Dwelling 93 all BLACK
Anderson, Charles A 65 bMS Widowed Farmer Renting
George 37 bTX Widowed son
Josie 32 bTX Widowed daughter
Charley 29 bTX son
Herman 19 bTX son
Charlie Anderson died 27 Feb 1937 in Oklahoma. He is buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Eufaula, McIntosh County, Oklahoma.
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| Charlie Anderson memorial in Evergreen Cemetery |
Children of Dilsey Danforth and Charlie Anderson:
- Jinnie/Jeanetta Anderson was born June 1875 in McLennan County, Texas and died 29 Jan 1951 in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma. Jinnie is buried in Northwest Cemetery in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma. She married Alonzo "Lonny" Whittaker on 20 Dec 1893 in McLennan County, Texas. Alonzo was born 13 Apr 1873 in Texas and died 24 Apr 1962 in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma. Alonzo was a farmer and they lived in the Bosqueville area. By 1915 they moved to Morris, Oklahoma. Alonzo was the son of Booker T Whittaker and Jane Knott. [Jane Knott married 1st Booker T Whitaker and 2nd Alfred "Fred" Deckard, Sr. [ See more about these families here.]
Jinnie and Alonzo had at least 9 children:- Ethel Whittaker born 1894 and died 1982.
- Izellar Whittaker was born 1897 and died 1960. She married _?_ Hopkins.
- Mattie Agusta Whittaker born 1900 and died 1999
- Elbridge Whittaker born 1901 and died 1961.
- Otto Whittaker born 1904; died 1969
- Ruth Whittaker born 1906
- Alonzo Whittaker, Jr born 1908 Waco, TX; died 2000
- Preston born 1910
- Vordy Whittaker born 1913 Okmulgee County, OK; died 1996
- Matty Anderson was born Jan 1877 in McLennan County, Texas. She married Sardoes H Henderson before 1900. It was a second marriage for both of them. Sardoes was born 1876 in Alabama. In the 1900 Census Matty was married, working for the white family of Hyman Gross where she was the cook. In 1910 Matty and Sardoes's adopted daughter Ina May Hill, age 5, was living with them. Sardoes was a wagon driver for a lumber company.
- David Anderson was born Apr 1879 in McLennan County, Texas. He may be the David Anderson who married Naome in 1899, then lived at Falls County, Texas. This couple had at least one child: Willie Anderson born June 1899 in Texas.
- Ben "Bull Dog" Anderson was born Feb 1881 in McLennan County, Texas. Ben married Georgia _?_ and they had at least one child: Mattie L Anderson born 1910. In 1900 Ben was a student and living with his parents. By 1910 he was married and living in Bosqueville next to them. In 1921 an incident occurred and on 30 Mar 1923 Ben was in prison for murder. He pleaded not guilty, but was convicted and sentenced to 5-12 years at Huntsville Prison. According to their records his alias was "Bull Dog" and was 5'7" tall, weighed 150 lbs, brown eyes, black hair and wore a size 9 shoe. He had a scar on his left forearm up the outside and another small scar on his right side. He was married, used tobacco, did not drink. He had no church affiliation. Ben was sentenced on 3 Nov 1921; sentenced affirmed 14 Mar 1923 and issued 30 Mar 1923. His sentence would expire on 30 Mar 1935. However, he was discharged 9 June 1930.
- Lula Bell Anderson was born 22 Feb 1881 in Waco, Texas and died Mar 1970. She married Booker T Whittaker, Jr on 5 Dec 1900 in McLennan County, Texas. Booker was born Dec 1880 in Texas and died in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma. Booker was the son of Booker T Whittaker, Sr and Jane Knott Whittaker Deckard. [see more about Jane here] Booker is a brother of Alonzo Whittaker who married Lulu's sister Jinnie. Before 1907 Lula and Booker moved to Severs, Okmulgee, Oklahoma. In 1940 living 2 doors from Alonzo Whittaker and Jinnie, Lula is a widow and living with her son Booker T III age 19, his wife Roberta also 19, and their daughter Vivian Loretta age 6 months. Booker was born 13 Feb 1920 and worked for the St Louis San Francisco Railroad.
Lula Bell Anderson and Booker T Whittaker, Jr had at least 5 children:- May Willie Whittaker born 1903
- Loy [male] Whittaker born 1907
- Lula Whittaker born 1910
- Ruby Whittaker born 1914
- Booker T Whittaker III born 1920
- George Anderson was born Jan 1885 in McLennan County, Texas. George married J Oneda Martin on 23 May 1914 in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Their witnesses included Lucile Anderson, George's sister. 12 Sep 1918 George registered for the Draft in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma. His Draft Registration card states his father as Charlie Anderson and that he is short, stout with black hair and eyes and no scars. He was a farmer. In 1920 George is "widowed" and living with his father Charlie and siblings Josie, Charley and Herman and Hanna, McIntosh County, Oklahoma. On 15 Nov 1924 Mrs. Oneda Anderson married Joe Burney in Beggs, Oklahoma.
- Josiah Anderson was born Aug 1886 in McLennan County, Texas. In 1900 and 1910 he was living with his parents Dilsey and Charlie.
- Josie Anderson was born 1888 in McLennan County, Texas. In 1920 Josie was a widow and living with her father Charlie Anderson and her siblings George, Charley and Herman in Hanna, Oklahoma. By 1930 Josie is divorced, working as a laundress and living in Okmulgee, Oklahoma with her daughter Willie M Anderson who was born 1922. In 1940 Josie is working as a housekeeper and her daugher Willie Mae is still there, but so is Willie Mae's son Alfred Tarkington, born 1939. By 1960 Josie is living with her daughter Willie Mae whose surname is now Taylor and Willie Mae's children Alfred Tarkington 11, Henry W Tarkington 9, and Richard E Taylor 5.
- Hester Anderson was born 13Feb 1889 in Waco, Texas and died before 1950 in Okmulgee, Okmulgee County, Oklahoma. She married John Cobb on 12 Mar 1911in McLennan County, Texas. John was born 1888 in Texas and died Oct 1973. He registered for the Draft in Okmulgee Oklahoma on 6 May 1917. At that time he was living at 112 Muskogee Ave and was a laborer for John Hamilton. His Draft card states he was medium height, stout with brown eyes, black hair, not bald and not disabled. In 1920 Hester and John were living in Okmulgee Ward 1, Okmulgee County, Oklahoma with two boarders: Paul James 22 and Mathew James 21, both born in Alabama. John was a laborer at Creek Grain Company. He and Hester owned their home free and clear. John and Hester were still in Okmulgee in 1940 where Hester was working as a laundress at a private home. By 1950 John is widowed and unable to work. He was living at 508 N Muskogee in Okmulgee, Oklahoma.
- Charley Anderson was born 16 Dec 1890 in Waco, McLennan County, Texas. In 1917 Charley registered for the Draft in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma. His Draft card states he was a farmer, single, and the son of Charlie Anderson. He was described as short, stout with black eyes, hair and no disabilities. He married Mary Jones on 21 July 1928 - a second marriage for them both. She is Mrs Mary Jones, so Jones may have been her married surname. They were married by Reverend A Harris, Minister of the Missionary Baptist Church in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Witnesses were Mary Ann Dalcour and Josie Anderson [Charley's sister.] Charley and Mary had at least two children: Dorothy Lee Anderson born 1926 and Carma Anderson born 1928. In 1930 this family was still living in Okmulgee, Okmulgee County, Oklahoma. He worked for the Okmulgee Northern Railway Company on the Steam Railroad.
- Aggie Anderson was born 18 Jan 1893 in Waco, McLennan County, Texas and died 30 Mar 1971.
- Lucile Anderson was born 1897 in Waco, McLennan County, Texas.
- Jimmie/Jimmy Anderson was born May 1900 in McLennan County, Texas. In 1920 Jimmie was living with "Grandfather" Parker Carpenter on N 7th Street in Waco. Jimmie was a Wagon Driver for a Trasfer Company. [I don't know who Parker Carpenter is. He was 45 in 1920, so not old enough to be Jimmie's grandfather. However other sources say Parker was born about 1851. He was born in Missouri and so was his father, so he may be kin to Hester Danforth Powell Whittaker and Dilsey Danforth Anderson. Parker was married to Emiline Prather born about 1851 in Tennessee who may also be related to Dilsey] By 1930 Jimmie and Josephine were still living in Waco where Jimmie was a Building Contractor Helper. They owned their home.
- Herman Anderson was born 1901 in McLennan County, Texas and died 1924. He married Lucile Patterson on 9 Jan 1922. They were married by Reverend A Harris at the Missionary Baptist Church in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Witnesses were L B Wilson and Will Hall.
Cora Anderson was born Dec 1883 in Bosqueville, McLennan County, Texas and died 1939 in Beggs, Okmulgee, Oklahoma. In 1900 she was still living with her parents in McLennan County, Texas. According to information on the 1920 Census around 1903 Cora married a man by the name James. [could be Conway James] No children were born of this union that I could find.
Two years later Cora was in a relationship with Alfred "Fred" Deckard, Jr. Fred was born 25 Jun 1884 in Waco, Texas and died 14 June 1969 in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma. Fred was the son of Alfred "Fred" Deckard, Sr 1860-1931 and Jane Knott 1858-1942. [See more about these Deckard and Knott families]
Cora and Fred had one child: Arvie Anderson who was born 19 Mar 1905 in Waco, Texas and died 21 Jan 2000 in Tulsa County, Oklahoma.
Prior to this Fred Deckard had been in a relationship with Lucy Woods, born 1885, and they had a child together. Ocea/Ocie/Acie Deckard was born 1904 in Texas and died 1963 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
In 1910 Ocie was living with her grandfather Wyatt Woods on Nace and Barquero Road in Bosqueville Texas. In 1920 she was living with her aunt Melba Wilson in Patrick, McLennan County, Texas. She married Eutee Howard Carmichael, Sr on 5 Oct 1920. Eutee was born 3 Aug 1900 in Longview, TX and died 27 Jul 1990 in Spencer, OK. Ocie and Eutee had 5 children: Frances, Freddie Mae, Dorothy, Eutee Howard Jr and an infant (born and died Aug 1921). Ocie and Eutee divorced on 23 Feb 1937 in Oklahoma City. In 1940 Ocie was "widowed" and living with her children Freddie Mae Carmichael 15, Dorothy Carmichael 11 and Howard Carmichael 4 in Oklahoma City and working as a Laundress.
By 1950 Ocie was living with her children and some grandchildren at 907 N E First Street in Oklahoma City
Meanwhile, Fred Deckard married Odie Nelson on 21 Jun1905 in Muskogee County, Oklahoma. Odie was born 13 May 1882 in Falls County, Texas and she died 2 Nov 1935 in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma. Odie gave birth to their first child, daughter Mazie in March 1905 in Okmulgee County, Creek Nation, Indian Territory. Fred and Odie would go on to have several more children.
In 1907 Cora Anderson gave birth to her second son, Alla/Allie B Anderson. Allie was born 24 Feb 1907 in McLennan County, Texas and he died 17 Jan 1888 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Cora married Pearl T Fisher on 21 Oct 1909. They were married by Reverend E B Weaver in McLennan County, Texas. Pearl was born 5 Dec 1881 in Texas and died after 1950 probably in Tulsa. In 1910 Cora and Pearl were living in Bosqueville, Texas. Cora told the census taker she'd given birth to 2 children and both were living. Yet neither of her sons were living with her and Pearl at the time. Though I checked censuses I did not find them with any of her family, so my guess is that they were with someone in Pearl's family.
In 1918 Pearl registered for the Draft in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma. He and Cora were living at RFD 2, Beggs, Oklahoma. His Draft card states Pearl was slender, tall with black hair, brown eyes and was a farmer. By 1930 Cora and Pearl were still living in Beggs, next door to Cora's son Allie and his family.
Allie B Anderson married Beatrice Rashone Walker on 11 Dec 1927 in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. They were married by L Massey. Witnesses were R A Adam, M Scott and J Nelson, all of Okmulgee. Beatrice was born 2 May 1911 at Castle, Oklahoma and died 5 Oct 1998 at Oakland, California. She was the daughter of Samuel Walker born 15 Oct 1870 in Tennessee; died Oct 1949 in Castle, Oklahoma and Mary Douglas born about 1872 in Tennessee; died 10 Jan 1949 in Castle.
According to the 1940 Census Allie's stepfather, Pearl Fisher, was living with Allie and his family. 16 Oct 1940 Allie registered for the Draft in Okmulgee Oklahoma. His card states he was a farmer, married to Beatrice and described him as 5'11, 230 lbs, brown eyes, black hair and dark brown complexion. Coordinates for his farm: NE quarter section 24-15-12 in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. In the early days of their marriage Allie was a farmer, but in 1950 he reported on the census that he was a Cook in a restaurant.
Allie B Anderson and Beatrice Rashone Walker had 11 children:
- Della Mae Anderson born abt 1929 Beggs, Oklahoma and died 1964. She is buried in Crown Hill Cemetery in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
- Lareta Jean Anderson was born abt 1931 in Oklahoma
- Alfphra Lee Anderson was born abt 1933 in Oklahoma and died 29 Dec 2007 in Dallas Texas. He married Ethel Rose Maloy
- Willie V Anderson was born 20 May 1934 in Beggs, Oklahoma and died 20 Sep 1991 in Tulsa, Oklahome. She married Cortez A Rex, Sr
- Nathanel H Anderson was born 21 Mar 1937 in Beggs, Oklahoma and died 7 Oct 2016. He married Annie Gail McGhee.
- Clarice Anderson was born 1940 Oklahoma. She married Andrew Golden in 1958 in Tulsa.
- Alla B Anderson was born about 1941 in Oklahoma.
- Charles Anderson was born about 1943 in Oklahoma.
- Dottie M Anderson was born 6 Mar 1945 in Beggs, Oklahoma and died 18 Feb 2021. She married Wilbert L Antwine
- Roy Irvin Anderson was born 11 Jul 1947 in Oklahoma and died 17 Jun 2011 in California
- Travis Howard Anderson was born 13 May 1955 Tulsa and died 11 Jul 1993. Buried Crown Hill Cemetery, Tulsa
Arvie Anderson was born 19 Mar 1905 in Waco, Texas and died 21 Jan 2000 in Tulsa County, Oklahoma. He married Bettie Theresa Jeffries on 21 July 1926 in Beggs, Oklahoma. They were married by Reverend James P Autry, minister of the CME Church of Beggs. Witnesses were Laura Autry and Garrett Scott, both of Beggs. Reverend Autry was Bettie's brother-in-law; witness Laura Autry was Bettie's sister.
Bettie Theresa Jeffries was born 22 Nov 1907 Holly Spring, Marshall County, Mississippi and died 23 Dec 1981 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She was buried in Crown Hill Cemetery in Tulsa. Bettie was the daughter of John Jeffries born 1872 and Annie Garrett 1877-1930 [See more about this Jeffries family]
Arvie Anderson and Bettie Jeffries children:
- Verna Lee Anderson was born 14 Feb 1927 in Beggs, Okmulgee County, OK and died 3 June 1994 in Tulsa, OK. She married Odis Jones. Verna Lee is buried in Crown Hill Cemetery in Tulsa, OK. [ See more about Odis Jones family here.]
- Blanche Lucerne Anderson was born 17 June 1928 in Beggs, Okmulgree County, OK and died 24 Nov 1986 in Denver, CO. She married Lewis Varnon Austin. Blanche is buried in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Littleton, CO.
- Arvie Columbus Anderson Jr was born 22 Dec 1930 in Beggs, Okmulgee County, OK and died 15 Oct 2013 in Tulsa, OK. He married Willie Jean Montgomery in 1964. Arvie is buried in Floral Haven Memorial Gardens in Broken Arrow, OK.
- George Wayne Anderson was born 22 Feb 1934 in Beggs, Okmulgee County, OK and died 5 Apr 2005 in OK.
- Clyde C Anderson was born 1941 in OK
- Marian Marva Anderson was born 10 Mar 1942 in Beggs, Okmulgee County, OK and died 4 Dec 2003 in Tulsa, OK
1930 Census Beggs, Okmulgee, OK Living at 400 S Osage
Anderson, Arvie 24 bTX parents bTX Laborer - Steam Railroad
Bettie 22 bMS parents bMS
Bernie 3 daughter bOK
Blanch 1 bOK
Davis, Allen 14 bOK parents bTX Roomer
On 16 Oct 1940 Arvie registered for the Draft. He said he was a farmer and married to Bettie Theresa, living at Rt 2, Beggs, Okmulgee County, Oklahoma. He's described as 5'2" tall, 145 lbs, brown eyes, black hair and dark brown complexion. His farm was located at Section 28-15-12
1940 Census Beggs, Okmulgee OK Living at Section 28 on farm Renting
Anderson, Arvie 35 bTX Farmer
Betty T 33 bMS
Verna Lee 13 bOK
Blanche L 11 bOK
Arvie 9 bOK
George Wayne 6 bOK
By 19 Apr 1945 Arvie was working for the Frisco Railroad in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He and Bettie were living at 626 N Elgin Place. He retired from the Railroad in 1965.
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| Arvie Anderson's Frisco Railroad Card |
1950 Census Beggs, Okmulgee OK Living at 16 Osage
Anderson, Arvie 44 bTX Laboreer Frisco Railroad
Bettie 42 bMS
Arvie Jr 19 bOK
G Wayne 16 bOK
Clyde C 9 bOK
Marion M 8 bOK
Arvie Anderson attended Northwest and East Beggs Schools and his family attended Handy Chapel AMC Church. He died 21 Jan 2000 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His funeral service was held at Vernon African Methodist Episcopal Church in Tulsa with Reverend Dr. Isaac Nelson Hudson, Jr officiating. He is buried in Crown Hill Cemetery.
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| Arvie Anderson |
Notes:
- Berry Cemetery, also called Holy Resurrection Cemetery is an historic, small, rural African American cemetery containing 48 graves. Near Ash Grove and near the Nathan Boone homestead, it's in Campbell Township, one of the original townships in Greene County, MO organized in 1833. Daniel Berry's enslaved - which would include Letitia's - may be buried there.
- For those interested - The Okmulgee Northern Railway Company, originally the Coalton Railway, was a shortline rail carrier in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma that operated from 1916-1964. It ran from Okmulgee along the Deep Fork River carrying over 30,000 tons of coal each year. In 1964 all assets were sold to the Frisco Railroad. One mile of the old railroad is now part of the Railroad Trail and River Overlook at the Deep Fork National Wildlife Refuge. One of their old steam locomotives is on display at the Belton, Grandview and Kansas City Railroad Museum.
- There will be a followup post about the research I've done trying to figure out Charlie Anderson that will contain a lot of data about Andersons and others - including enslavers - in several counties in Mississippi and Texas.
