Now I know this thought process isn’t new.

Slavery was not salvation. Slavery did not serve the purpose of saving anyone. It’s purpose is free labor and justifying it by dehumanizing the enslaved so polite society doesn’t feel bad about it. Source: Memoir, n.d., “A Disregarded Contribution to American Civilization Taken from Plantation Notes of the Deans Family of Gloucester. I found this document at http://digitool1.lva.lib.va.us:8881 Continue reading Now I know this thought process isn’t new.

Found mention of my great-grandmother Mary Lizzie Allmond!

I found this blurb from The Smithfield Times in July 1946 that mentions my great grandmother. This is the only thing I’ve found other than her death certificate and her children’s obituaries that mention her. I found it while looking for something else.  Transcription: Have Your Press’re Cooker TestedPressure Canner Clinics for Farm Security housewives are being conducted in Isle of Wight and Nansemond Counties … Continue reading Found mention of my great-grandmother Mary Lizzie Allmond!

Serving at the Punch Bowl

I’m delighted to find this slice of life. I don’t know who George Bowman was** but my 2nd great-grandmother, Ciffronia Eley, and great-grandaunt, Alberta Eley Brown, served at the punch bowl. My 2nd great-grandfather, Kenneth Eley, was also in attendance.  **My granduncle (grandmother’s brother) informed me that he was a good friend of the family and that the Vashti Gospel Singers were well known. Suffolk News-Herald, … Continue reading Serving at the Punch Bowl

Hollimans of Isle of Wight, Virginia

I searched on Google for a publication called “Blacks In Isle of Wight” because I’ve seen it mentioned a few times. One of the results mentioned the name “Holliman” which is the maiden name of one of my 3rd great-grandmothers. I clicked on the blog and found this. These are literally her parents (well, her father and stepmother) that this post is about. I saw … Continue reading Hollimans of Isle of Wight, Virginia