Taking a lengthy break from Family Research and Blogging until November or December of this year.

God Bless,

Terrence

I have to catch up on 3 week of everyones blogging and I’ll have to post a new blog tomorrow.

Here’s why I have not posted in some time.

Last Tuesday I went to the hospital for apparent heart palpitations,
while there my heart rate went up to 170 and my
 blood pressure was up and down and numbness all over my body. The
doctors ran several test and said my heart was fine.
 My body enventually calmed down and they prescribed me with some
medicine and I was
able to go home. I was fine Wednesday and Thursday, but Friday it
started again and it settled down when I went to sleep. By Saturday I
still wasn’t
feeling well so I went to the hospital again and they admitted me and
they ran several test again, but they could not figure why my heart
rate was going so high.
I was in the hospital from Saturday through Monday when they let me go
home. They still don’t know for sure what is causing this. The doctors
suspect it could be a viral infection but still are unsure. Please keep me in your prayers

This is a case study on Milton Bankett and Sallie Bankett-Southern of Bellville, Austin County, Texas. My purpose was to determine how they were related to one another.

View this document on Scribd

In researching my great-grandfather Marcellus, according to his death certificate and SS application he is the son of William Pipkins and Ella/Ellen Parker.

Marcellus has 3 children still living that I have spoken with.

1. Aunt Mary states that her father relayed to her that his mother was part Choctaw Indian.
2. Uncle David states that his father mentioned his mother was part Cherokee Indian.
3. Uncle Hosea states that his father mentioned his mother was part Choctaw Indian.

The first time I find Ellen in Records is her marriage license to William Pipkins (misspelled Pilkins on the record). They were married on February 22, 1877 in Caddo Parish, Louisiana by Rev. A.G. Thompson.

Witnesses to the marriage were: Ronald Thomas, James Jones, Eleasy Davis, Milly Brown (I have only been able to locate what appears to be Ronald Thomas in Caddo, LA). I don’t know if any of these people are related to Ellen or William in any way.

Next, we find Ellen living in Panola County, Texas with husband William and son Henry.

William, Ella, and Henry "Pippins" in 1880

Ella/Ellen is 21 years old and keeps house. Her Birthplace is: Missouri, Father’s BP: Tennesse, Mother’s BP: Tennessee. [1880 U.S. Federal Census; Precinct 3, Panola County, Texas; Roll: T9_1322; Page: 254]

According to my Aunt Mary, her father Marcellus stated his mother died when he was a little boy.

Children of William and Ellen are: Henry (1878-1918), Daisy (1880-Aft. 1900), Arthur (1881-1921), and Marcellus (1884-1972).

During the 1890’s William had children by Elizabeth Perkins Crutchfield (they were not married): Parilee (1893-1969) and Viola (1899-1985). William also had children by Ellen Johnson named: Easter (1896-1973) and Morris (1900-1986). William would go on to marry Ellen Johnson on Sept. 21, 1899 in Panola County, Texas [Vol: F, Page: 559].

In 1900 Three of William and Ellen’s 4 children all list their mother as being from Missouri. Daisy is married to Elgin Scroggins by this time and Arthur & Marcellus reside in their father’s household:

1. Dasiy Scroggins- Age: 21, Race: Black, BP: Texas, FBP: Louisiana, MBP: Missouri.                                                  [1900 U.S. Federal Census; Ward 6, Caddo Parish, Louisiana; Roll: T623_560, Page: 103]
2. Arthur Pipkins- Age: 16, Race: Black, BP: Texas, FBP: Louisiana, MBP: Missouri.
3. Marcellus Pipkins- Age: 14, Race: Black, BP: Texas, FBP: Louisiana, MBP: Missouri. [1900 U.S. Federal Census; Precinct 4, Panola County, Texas; Roll: T623_1663; Page: 137]

The children listing their mother’s birthplace as Missouri is consistent with her’s in 1880.

I have tried to locate Ellen/Ella in 1870, but I have not had any luck in doing so. She may be under a different Surname or perhaps just was not listed during that year. Great-grandpa Marcellus never mentioned his mother’s relatives only that she was part Choctaw-Indian. To my knowledge Daisy’s daughters had not children so their would be no way to test Ellen’s line.

What I would like to find out is:

1. If Ellen/Ella was half Choctaw what ratio was she? One-Half, One-Fourth, etc.
2. Who were her parents? Which parent had Native-American ancestry?
3. How did Ellen end up in Caddo Parish, Louisiana? Who enslaved the family?
4. Did she have any siblings in Texas, Louisiana, or Okalahoma?

I do know that Marcellus and his 1st wife Roberta (my ancestors) briefly lived in Wagoner, Oklahoma sometime before 1930. In 1930 Roberta’s brother and nephew Chester Holt Sr and Jr are living with their Aunt Mary Smalls in Wagoner, OK.  Perhaps Roberta wanted to lived near her brother at one time.

Ellen/Ella Parker-Pipkins has been one of my brick-wall ancestors. I feel that I may never locate anything else about her.

Angela Walton-Raji may be able to assist me with her knowledge of the “trails of tears” and Choctaw Freedman.

In Part I of my series I will discuss the possibility of my great-great grandfather William being of Mixed-Race. The Pipkins lived on the state line between Panola County, Texas and Caddo & DeSoto Parish, Louisiana.

My research indicates that William Pipkins is the son of John and Mary Collins-Pipkins, but according to my grandfather’s sister she states that her father Marcellus spoke of his father being the son of a slave owner. I have spoken with the three siblings of my grandfather that are still living and they all mentioned similar information about William being half-white.  I have not been able to locate death information on William who appears to have died after 1920 and before 1930. I have located the death records of 6 out of John and Mary’s 14 children: John Pipkins Jr., Laura Harris, Gillie Phelps, Jane Phelps, Jack Pipkins, and Owens Pipkins. Everyone except Owen’s death certificate list their parents as John Pipkins and Mary Collins. My cousin Pamela, thanks to oral history traced our family to the Estate of Moses Collins who died on October 9, 1855. John and Mary and some of their children were sold to Matilda Collins , Moses widow. Thanks to the book entitled “No Land…Only Slaves”, by Edith Smith and Vivian Lehman I was able to trace my family from Matilda to her daughter Parmelia and from her to Jasper McMillan.

Here is a timeline of what I have on William:

1. 1859-William is listed with his parents and four siblings, his age and race are not stated. [Matilda Collins Estate to Parmelia L. Collins wife of William Barnes; Desoto Parish, Louisiana; December 13, 1859; Book: J, Page: 60]
2. 1860-According to the 1860 Slave Schedule Parmelia moved to Nacogdoches, Texas and stayed with her cousin William Collins. Though the 1860 Schedule does not list the names of slaves I was able to match the names of my family to their respective ages based on the 1859 estate of Matilda Collins. William is 4 years old and of Mulatto complexion.

1860 U.S. Federal Census-Slave Schedule of Parmelia L. Barnes

1. 1862-William is stated to be 7 years old and of griff complexion. [Parmelia L. Barnes of Nacogdoches, Texas to Jasper McMillan of Caddo Parish, Louisiana; Filed: Jan. 2, 1862; Book: N, Page: 1038]
2. 1870- William (Surname: Pippin) is 13 years old and his race is Black. BP: Louisiana. [1870 U.S. Federal Census; Pulaski, Panola County, Texas; Roll:M593_1601; Page: 322]
3. 1880- William (Surname: Pippins) is 23 years old and his race is Black. BP: Louisiana, FBP: Georgia, MBP: Georgia. [1880 U.S. Federal Census; Precinct 3, Panola County, Texas; Roll: T9_1322; Page: 254]
4. 1900-William (Surname: Pipkins) is 47 years old and his race is Black. [1900 U.S. Federal Census; Precinct 4, Panola County, Texas; Roll: T623_1663; Page: 137]
5. 1910-William (Surname: Pipkin) is 58 years old and his race is Mulatto. BP: Lousiana, FBP: Mississippi, MBP: Mississippi. [1910 U.S. Federal Census; Precinct 4, Panola County, Texas; Roll: T624_1583; Page: 132]
6. 1920- William (Surname: Pipkins) is 63 years old, and his race is Black. BP: Louisiana, FBP: Alabama, MBP: Mississippi. [1920 U.S. Federal Census; Carthage, Panola County, Texas; Roll: T625_1839; Page: 133]

According to the Estate records I have in my possession William was not listed on Moses Collins Estate to Matilda on March 15, 1857. He was listed on Matilda Collins Estate to Parmelia Barnes on December 13, 1859.

Based on that information William would have been born sometime after March 15, 1857 and before December 13, 1859. Parmelia’s husband William Barnes had children by a slave named Betsy Pipkins (William’s Aunt and John’s sister). Parmelia most appears to have separated from William Barnes before 1860 and moved to Nacogdoches, Texas to live with her cousin. Is it possible that William Barnes had his way with Mary like he did Betsy? which resulted in William? After slavery William Barnes and Besty resided together as common-law husband and wife and are buried next to eachother in Keatchie, DeSoto Parish, Louisiana. The only way to possibly confirm or deny this information is to get a male descendant of William to take a Y-Chromosome Test. I would like to have this done before the end of this year. William’s mother Mary was listed as Mulatto on all the slave records I have, so I wonder if it’s her who descends from her slave owner and not William. Unfortunately, I would never be able to confirm that about her.

On Friday: I will discuss William’s 1st wife and my ancestor Ellen Parker-Pipkins who is said to have been half-choctaw Indian.

This past Saturday on July 18, 2009

My maternal grandmother’s family had our Family Reunion.

It took place in North East, Houston at Alexander Deussen Park.

The Descendants of B.J. and Dorothy Johnson.

Children: Thomas Higgins Jr. (from Dorothy’s previous marriage), Robert, Maud, Wilford, Bernard, Nathaniel, Shirley (my grandmother), Edward, Carolyn, Benjamin Jr., and Theresa (who was died at birth).

Out of the 11 children only 7 have descendants.

Only 4 of the siblings are currently living.

Most of the family lives in Houston, Texas and a few live in San Jose, California. My mother and her siblings were always close to their cousins growing up. Because of this the we refer to them as “Aunts” and “Uncles” because of they are like siblings.

We used to have Family Reunions when I was about four, but for some reason they stopped. We would travel to Grandpa B.J.’s hometown of Montgomery, Texas. I was six when my great-grandfather passed he was affectionately called “Granddaddy” by his loved ones. Great-grandma Dorothy died fifteen years before I was born, but she was always spoken of by my grandma and her siblings.

It was not until 2004 when we finally started having Reunions again. My mother is the one who has coordinated the Reunions since we started back in 04. Most people have two or three day reunions, but ours is only one day. In 2006 we decided to have the Reunion Biannually instead of Annually. Hurricane Ike damaged the homes of many relatives in 2008 so the reunion was postponed until 2009.

Alexander Deussen Park. This is the largest Pavilion at the park and it's located next to the water.

The Reunion was to start at 11:00 am.

My mother, uncle, and some cousins went to the park around 7:00 a.m. to set up everything. My brother’s and I did not arrive until 9:00 a.m.

We had several activities planned for everyone such as Bingo (with prizes), Cards, A raffle (with prizes), and Basketball Tournament for the adults (to win a trophy). For the children we had a Jungle Bounce, pinata, 2-legged race, water-balloons, and water guns.

The children preparing for the 2-legged race

On the Menu we had the following:

The Menu at the Reunion

Food: Hot Dogs, Frito Pie, Ribs, Brisket, Chicken, Mac & Cheese, Broccoli & Cheese Casserole, Sausages, Green Beens,

Baked Beens, and Potato Salad.

Drinks: Water, Juice, and Soda

Desserts: Sweet Potato Pie, Cookies, Banana Pudding, Fruit Salad, Brownies, and assorted cakes.

My Uncle Jermaine preparing for the cooking contest.

My Aunt Myrna and Uncle Jermaine had a cooking contest for bragging rights on who was the better cook in the family. Unfortunately, I was too full to taste the dishes they prepared. My Aunt won the contest though.

I really enjoyed the family reunion seeing my cousins who’ve grown since the last time I’ve seen them. There was no

fighting amongst anyone and everyone said they had a good time.

Everyone listening to the raffle winners

Me, cousin Kenny, and my twin brother Lawrence

In 2007, I emailed  Joy Neely the coordinator of the Austin County, Texas Genweb site. I inquired about how to obtain copies of the Colored obituaries that they had on file at the History Society. After a few days I recieved  7 pages of African-American obituaries they had from the newspaper ,”The Bellville Times” from as early as 1910. As I read the obits I came across the name Adelia Collins, from my research I knew she was the paternal great-grandmother of my Aunt Idell. Idell’s was born to Henry Collins and Rosie Garnett, her parents were not married.

Adelia Collins (From the Bellville Times: 1921)

“Aunt Adelia Collins, an old

time slavery darky, died yesterday

at the home of her son in law

Alonzo Cramer. “Aunt Delia”, as

she was usually known, was one

of the faithful ones who might

well serve as a model for the

younger generation to pattern

after. She was true and faithful.

She was 75 years when she

died.—contributed (1921)”

A search of her death certificate revealed the following:

“]

Adelia Collins was Born in 1846 and Died on Dec. 27, 1921. [Cert #:324County: Austin

City: Bellville

Full name: Adelia Collins

Sex: Female

Race: Colored

Status: Widowed

Age 75

Occupation: Famer

Birthplace: Mississippi

Father: Frank Diggs [Birthplace: MS]

Mother: Chanie Southern [Birthplace: MS]

Informant: Alonzo Cramer [Son-In-Law]

Place of Burial: Pilgrim Rest Colored Cemetery

What I found interesting is that Adelia’s mother, Chaney is listed with the maiden name Southern. Adelia’s son Japhet Collins married Margaret Southern on, December 9, 1896 [Vol: J; Page:1929]. Margaret or “Aunt Maggie” as she was known is the daughter of Henry and Sallie Bankett-Southern, and sister of Hannibal. I’ve always heard Aunt Maggie mentioned by my father and the rest of his family she was born in 1877 and died in 1970, so she lived a long and healthy life. Both Japhet and Margaret are Aunt Idell’s grandparents.

Adelia “Deliah” (24) was enumerated on July 11, 1870 in Bellville, Austin County, Texas with her husband Armstead Collins (30) and their children: Thomas (3), Sarah (2), and Martha (6 months). Adelia’s mother Chany (70) is listed under the surname Collins. Armstead list his birthplace as Mississippi, Adelia and Chany both state to have been born in Alabama and the children were all born in Texas.

Next door to the Armstead is a white man by the name of Japhet Collins. Amstead and Delia eventually have a son name Japhet/Jafeth. It’s probable that Japhet or most likely his father owned Armstead Collins, but further research will need to be done in order to find out.

1) Armstead and Adelia’s daughter Martha Collins married Alonzo Cramer, on January 10, 1889 [Vol: G; Page: 341]. Both Alonzo and Martha are buried near the family of Henry and Sallie Southern.

2) The death certificates of Armsead and Delia’s children state that her maiden name is Southern. She apparently did not go by her father’s surname Diggs.

3) Adelia Collins has two grandchildren name after her, Adelia Cramer (Martha’s daughter); and Adelia Collins (Japhet’s daughter)

Maud (Standing) and Sarah Johnson (sitting). Maud is my great-grandfather, Benjamin's sister and Sarah is their mother. (Photo taken: circa 1920 in Montgomery County, Texas).

Hannibal "Sam" Southern (1881-1980)

Hannibal “Sam” Southern, is the son of Henry and Sallie Bankett-Southern. He was named after his maternal grandfather Hannibal Bankett who died during slavery. Hannibal Southern was known as “Daddy Sam” by his loved ones and was the oldest living person in Austin County, Texas at the time of his death in 1980. Mr. Southern fathered two children by my great-grandmother Louise Garnett named Leola Southern-Taylor (1903-1994) and Lenora Mable Southern-Brown (1920-1981). Aunt Mable used both Garnett and Southern on certain documents. Even though my grandmother Jane Garnett (1922-2000) and her sister Martha Garnett-Coverson (1917-1994) were not Hannibal’s biological children he treated them both as his own and left each sister money in his estate.

As a child my father often spoke of  “Daddy Sam” so much that I assumed he was my great-grandfather. It was not until I started my research that I learned he was not my actual great-grandfather nor did he marry Louise. Aunt Mables son, Charles became to owner of his grandfather’s property after the death of his mother. I can remember as a child having family gatherings on the property, the adults would be sitting around chatting and having a good time while the children roamed the property getting into mischief. After a while cousin Charles lost the property and we had to have our gatherings at Aunt Idell’s house.