G.B.N.F.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 30 April 1949. —— In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 610 East Green Street, rented for $20/month, barber Roderick Taylor, 45; wife Mary, 39; and children Edna G., 8, Mary J., 4, and Roderick Jr., 1. In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 607 East Green Street, barber Roderick Taylor, 58; wife Mary J., 50; and children Edna G., 18, Mary…

Marita Janet Meyers Douglas was the youngest granddaughter of my great-grandparents John C. and Mary Agnes Holmes Allen. She passed unexpectedly, but peacefully, at her home in Maryland on July 9. My deepest condolences to her closest family and to all who loved her.

I knew from oral history and the 1870 census that my great-great-great-grandfather Henry W. McNeely was a teacher during Reconstruction. Born in 1841 to John W. McNeely, a white slaveowner, and Lucinda McNeely, the woman he enslaved, Henry presumably learned to read and write during slavery. The document above is extracted from “List of School Teachers & School-buildings North Carolina” compiled…

I Free Jane known by the name of Jane Graham (a Woman of Coler) of the County of Iredell and State of North Carolina do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament in the maner foloing I give and bequeath all my Estate Real and personal To Elizabeth Graham a Woman of Colour and her heirs and assings for Ever frealy to be possessed and enjoyed. and I do hereby utterly disallow Revoke and…

Statesville Record & Landmark, 6 April 1957.

I happened upon the 10 September 1938 marriage license for Arthur Lee Battle, 21, and Dorothy Cannon, 18, in Wilson. My grandfather Roderick “Mike” Taylor applied for the license. What was his relationship to the couple? Was Arthur Battle, whose parents were William and Nora Battle, related to Taylor, whose maternal grandmother was Cherry Battle Barnes?

I’m not sure how I missed this death certificate for Tabitha Hagans, another child of Aaron Seaberry! More soon as I explore this new clue.

2022 was a tough one, but I’m grateful for the journey. Here’s to the New Year!

Rest in power, Rederick C. Henderson.

Today marks one month since my beloved father passed from labor to reward. We remain heartbroken, but are grateful for the time we had with him, for the impact he made in the world, and for your continual expressions of care and concern.

Why the Holmeses went to Charles City County.

I have so much incredible new information about my Holmes family, both in Charlotte and Charles City Counties, but haven’t had (or maybe taken) the time to sort out my notes. For now, this place marker, the earliest evidence of Jasper Holmes in Charles City County: Daily Dispatch (Richmond, Va.), 12 October 1869.

Echoing cousin Margaret Holt Brown (may she rest in peace!) and wishing you a Merry Christmas!

A candle was lit in his honor.

My thanks to the worshippers of Village Church.

A candle was lit in his honor.

A candle was lit in his honor.

Tonight my family celebrated the 50th wedding anniversaries of two of my cousins (who are brothers) and their wives. Another of their brothers and his wife, who came in from Maryland, hit 51 this year. My parents made 60 years in May. So did my uncle and aunt. I can tick off an easy dozen couples in the 25-49 year range and a couple dozen more that only death parted after decades. That this kind…

The freshly unveiled marker. “First, I’d like to recognize my family, Joseph R. Holmes’ family, here today — including three of his brother Jasper’s great-granddaughters. Some here may remember their uncle, Dr. J. Maxwell Allen, who practiced dentistry in Charlotte Court House. His sister, my great-aunt Julia, first told me of Joseph Holmes when I was an inquisitive teenager digging for my…

Rest in peace, Jasper Maxwell Allen, Jr. (1931-2021).

Jasper M. Allen Jr. My extended Allen family, which has always been small, recently lost its oldest member, my mother’s first cousin, Jasper Maxwell Allen, Jr. I never met Cousin Mack Jr., but for the last dozen years or so spoke with him once or twice a year by telephone. He was close to his beloved late wife Arnetta’s family, and I am grateful to them for this obituary: The late Jasper…