I had previously posted most of this material separately, but I wanted to bring it together to show the full picture. Back when I first wanted to know the family history, I was told that we were descendants of Solomon Butler, a free Black man, and a “slave girl.” The story preserved Solomon’s name, but not Charlotte’s. Why had her identity disappeared from the family … Continue reading Time and Place: Solomon Butler and Charlotte
My 3rd great-grandfather on my Allmond side was Solomon Butler, who was born free. I can see him on the 1850 census as living in the home of William Allmond, who also had an enslaved black woman named Charlotte, my 3rd great-grandmother. In 1854, William Allmond died, and somewhere between then and 1860, Charlotte was moved to the home of the son, William J. Allmond. … Continue reading 4th Great Grandfather Moses King
I had already visited Fallingwater, the iconic Frank Lloyd Wright house nestled in the Laurel Highlands of Western Pennsylvania, twice before. Tucked away in the lush hills of Fayette County, it had always been a peaceful escape, with modern architecture harmonizing with nature. Each visit felt like a retreat into beauty and design. But my most recent trip was different. This time, I wasn’t just … Continue reading Rediscovering History in Western Pennsylvania
Here’s a Civil War map of Isle of Wight County and part of Nansemond County. In the image, I have labeled where Jones Grove Baptist Church is as well as where Tony and Moses Allmond’s lands were 30-40 years later. Many of the roads are the same and a lot of the parcels have the same boundaries. Civil War maps are available at the Library … Continue reading Civil War Map of Isle of Wight and Nansemond Counties
I found this in the Journal and Guide from January 9, 1926, in the Suffolk section. They put any trivial detail in the paper back then. It looks a lot like today’s social media. Know that I’m actually glad they did because I’m finding out so much more about my family from notes in the local sections and society pages of these newspapers. Can you … Continue reading Social Media from 1926
I wasn’t finding obituaries or any mention of my relatives prior to maybe the 1950s in the local newspapers that are available via Newspapers.com, VirginiaChronicle.com and NewsBank. Something I specifically didn’t find was an obituary for each of my Allmond great-grandparents. The only mention I found was a notice for a pressure canner clinic for Farm Security Housewives at my great-grandmother’s house in 1946. My … Continue reading Historical Black Newspapers
A year ago I found the will of William Allmond on an index of wills in Isle of Wight County, Virginia on Ancestry. It’s taken me a year to circle back to look for the will on FamilySearch and I found it! It’s so hard to read but I do see “one Negro woman Charlotte”, “one Negro boy Sam”, “one Negro girl Hester” and “one … Continue reading One Negro Woman Charlotte 1854
I found this article from 1897 last year and put it aside. Looking at it again today the ages match up to my great-grandfather John Allmond and his brother, Moses (Lam). I initially didn’t think it was because generally when the newspapers were talking about Black folks, they made sure they specified it. But now I’m wondering. Meanwhile, I’m looking for a WWI draft card … Continue reading Slingshots Will Put Your Eye Out
My uncle did a lot of good in this world while he was here and he hardly ever talked about it. Last Sunday, the family church honored him. I didn’t post about him when he passed away 2 years ago because his immediate family didn’t want it on social media. But I would not be where I am today if not for him. He helped … Continue reading Marvin C. Allmond Honored at Home Town Church
genealo.ME 