Darker History: Reckoning with the past in my Grandmother's DNA results

Evil

That is the one word that I most associate with the history of my paternal grandmother's family, going back into the Antebellum days. The evil, atrocious legacy of Slavery soaks our family tree. And today, with the arrival of my paternal grandmother's DNA results, I have a better understanding and acceptance of the true horrors that live on in my ancestry. Her results were:

98.8% British and Irish

0.2% French and German

0.3% Broadly Northwestern European

0.3% Nigerian

0.2% Angolan and Congolese

0.1% Iranian, Caucasian, and Mesopotamian

0.1% Unassigned

Are her results surprising or shocking to me? Well, no. She is a tried and true Southerner of White Southern descent, and since the British were the major colonizers of the Old South, it is not surprising at all that she is of mostly British descent. I can trace different lines of her family back to Kent and Norfolk, for example, and it is through her that I can trace my descent from Medieval Royalty and Nobility. But the African ancestry is also not a surprise either, mostly because my own DNA came back 0.2% Angolan and Congolese. Under the ludicrous "one drop rule", if taken to its logical extreme, we are both black. But there are other conclusions that I can draw based on my own research. 

1. It is very likely that both of my Southern grandparents descend from African Slaves 

My paternal grandfather, Luther Allen Saddler Jr., has a possible descent from John Punch, an African indentured servant who attempted to escape to Maryland and was sentenced in 1640 to serve as a Slave for the rest of his life, unlike his White counterparts- the "first legal sanctioning of lifelong slavery in the Chesapeake." And because John Punch was probably from Angola, it was possible that my initial DNA result included DNA from him. Punch's descendants intermarried with white women, and eventually became white men with distant African ancestry. BUT- the discovery that my grandmother has partial African ancestry shatters this notion, and shows that I could have African blood through both of my dad's parents- Luther, through John Punch, and (LIVING) through the unnamed Slaves. 

2. My ancestry traces back to both sides of the Atlantic Slave Trade- the Master and the Slave

Through my paternal grandmother, I can trace descent from multiple Slave owners. In 1860, on the eve of the Civil War, at least four of my ancestors owned Slaves: Aaron B. Strickland (19 Slaves), Mourning Collum (2 Slaves), George Washington Winn (3 Slaves), and James F. Benton (5 Slaves). Before 1860, many other Slave owners darken my tree: Michael McKenzie Mattox. William Fuller Sr. Michael Creger. Ezekiel Stafford. Simon Smith. The Reverend William Eason. Robert Deshazo. And so on. These men made their fortunes off of the cruel, inhumane exploitation of other humans, viewed as their property, merely because of their origin. But the flip side is also true in my DNA- I descend from Slaves as well, the victims of these cruel men. And probably from multiple Slaves, from multiple owners. This contradictory nature of history is a cruel fact. 

3. I definitely have Sub-Saharan African ancestors who lived post-1500

There is no denying that I am of partial African descent, no matter how distant it is. Not only do I have a possible descent from a specific African individual on my paternal grandfather's side, but my paternal grandmother's DNA results show that 0.5% of her DNA is of Sub-Saharan African origin. There is no possible way to deny the facts of my heritage. I have African ancestry, regardless of what anybody claims. And this African ancestry probably includes more then one African ethnic group, too. 

NOW, why do I associate the word "Evil" with this reality of African heritage? 

Because it is a fact, that the history of the United States of America, as well as of many other Western nations, is built on the oppression and subjugation of African people. My family history is no different. My ancestors profited off of human suffering and torture. I have African American cousins on my DNA results, as well as African Slave ancestry, so I can also say very clearly: At least a few of my Slave owning ancestors were rapists. The sexual torture and violation of African people was commonplace on Slave plantations in the Old South, and my family is apparently not exempt from this. Not only were my African Slave ancestors sexually violated and assaulted, but this likely happened at the hands of other ancestors of mine. There are also probably many, many Slaves who were assaulted, raped, whipped, beaten, and tortured by my ancestors, who I do not descend from. The White South of Antebellum days was a kingdom of evil. Because of this, I do not think it is far fetched to say that my very existence is a moral abomination. I exist because of rape and torture. My existence comes from acts of human oppression, white supremacy, and racial terrorism. And my ancestors defended this institution, both by propagating the institution by distributing their Slaves to their descendants in their wills, as well as by taking up arms for the South and for Slavery in the American Civil War. 

I appreciate my African ancestors, whose names remain unknown, and probably forever will be, and I am fond of studying the possible regions of Africa I have some roots in- Nigeria and Angola. But I am definitely not fond of how it happened. Even more sickening is how the brutally barbaric institution of Slavery was defended by many in the Antebellum South! 

John C. Calhoun, 7th Vice President of the United States, the "Cast Iron man": "Never before has the black race of Central Africa, from the dawn of history to the present day, attained a condition so civilized and so improved, not only physically, but morally and intellectually… It came to us in a low, degraded, and savage condition, and in the course of a few generations it has grown up under the fostering care of our institutions."

James Henry Hammond, Governor and US Senator for South Carolina: "I firmly believe that American slavery is not only not a sin, but especially commanded by God through Moses, and approved by Christ through his apostles."

Men like John C. Calhoun and James Henry Hammond (who was also a pedophile who raped 4 of his nieces) defended Slavery, the vile institution that ensnared my ancestors in immorality, as a positive good. What is the positive good of Slavery? The institution of rape, forced labor, torture, beatings, whippings, and the separation of families? My heart breaks merely thinking of the unspeakable torments that my ancestors sickeningly gave to their so-called "property", human beings kidnapped and held in bondage by my forefathers and bloodline. I share the DNA of evil, brutal men who are irredeemable. Slavery is America's original sin, and it is a sin America can never truly atone for. Millions upon millions of lives were ruined and lost to this horrifically awful institution, and even today the African American community suffers generational trauma and discrimination because of the long lasting effects of Slavery and Jim Crow. The black-white wealth gap is atrocious. Black farmers face systemic discrimination. Black neighborhoods are often poor and dangerous. Credit discrimination is rampant, and overt racism is still rampant in this country. Police violence continues to snatch African Americans from the world and from their families- lives ruined because of hatred. Until America truly atones for her crimes through paying Reparations to the descendants of Slavery, America should be known as an evil land with no conscience and no soul, for her awful and wicked human rights violations and crimes. 

To acknowledge my family's role in the systemic oppression and near-genocidal war on African people, I am going to make donations to five organizations focusing on the African American community: Black Lives Matter, the NAACP, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, the Sentencing Project, and 100 Black Men of America. I encourage all descendants of Slave owners to do their part in advocating for racial justice, as well as national Reparations, criminal justice reform, and an end to police violence. 

Support African people and the African diaspora, victims of the torment and torture of the Atlantic Slave Trade. Rest in peace, to all who were enslaved, and especially to the Slaves in my own ancestry. You will never be forgotten, even if we do not know your names or ethnic origins. Your struggles can never be forgotten. 

Will Wednesday: Ezekiel Stafford (1773-1853) of Tattnall County, Georgia

Ezekiel Stafford, my 6th great-grandfather on my father's side, is one of my more prominent Southern ancestors. In 1773 he was born in South Carolina as the son of Joshua Stafford, who served in the Militia in the American Revolutionary War. He was a 3rd great-grandson of the Reverend Hawte Wyatt of Jamestown, Virginia and Boxley, Kent, England; a documented Gateway ancestor to Medieval Royalty. Stafford was among the early settlers of the young Tattnall County, and became a prominent citizen there. He was County Surveyor, Captain of the Militia, and Justice of the Peace. He was a member of the Methodist Church and a trustee for one of Tattnall's first Methodist Churches. He was also a Freemason, as a member of Rising Sun Lodge. He made his will on July 5, 1853, and died later that year on August 17. 

WILL 

State of Georgia

Tattnall County

In the name of God, Amen.

I, Ezekiel Stafford of said County and State aforesaid, being of advanced age and knowing that I must shortly depart this life, deem it right and proper both as respects myself and family that I should make a disposition of the property with which a kind providence has blessed me with. I hereby make the following disposition. Blessed be the name of God.

Item 1. I desire that me old servant Ben and his wife Ann shall not become slaves to any person after my demise, and should Ben and Ann see proper to remove from place to place I wish and desire that there should be no constraint but to be allowed to go and make a subsistence for themselves.

Item 2. I give and bequeath to me two beloved sons, Joshua Stafford, and Nathaniel B. Stafford, their heirs and assigns, the following property, viz: Driss and her seven children, viz: Frank, Peter, Elias, Lucy Ann, Leonard, Ishmel, Wyatt. I also give to my son N. B. Stafford, my man Titus as a remuneration for his goodness to me in affliction.

Item 3. I give and bequeath and devise unto my daughter Martha Knight my negro woman Maria and her three youngest children, viz: Ben, Silvey, and Nancy, to be and belong to her as the property of the said Martha Knight, her heirs and assigns forever; not subject to any other person’s contracts.

Item 4. I give and bequeath to my daughter Harriet Reddish, wife of Isham Reddish, I give and bequeath to her and the heirs of her body my negro man Daniel in fee simple.

Item 5. Give and bequeath to me son Elijah E. Stafford in his heirs the following property, viz: I give and bequeath to him my negro boy Simon and my man Owen.

Item 6. I give and bequeath and devise unto my grand children Julius Pittman, Noah Pittman, and Ezekiel S. Pittman, the following property, to-wit: my boy Aaron, my girl Peggy.

Item 7. I give devise and bequeath unto my son William Stafford a full portion of my property both real and personal with the other heirs heretofore mentioned to be made up of the estate not herein given of devised.

Item 8. I give and bequeath to my daughter Dorinda Townsend the sum of Five dollars to be pait by my Executors out of my estate after my decease.

Item 9. I furthermore give, bequeath and devise unto my beloved son Elijah E. Stafford two certain tracts of land lying and being in Tattnall County containing eight hundred and five acres more or less. Provided he, the said E. E. Stafford, shall see cause proper to take said lots of land at its appraised value, said lands lying near said E. E. Stafford.

Item 10. I furthermore will and devise that all my lands, tenements, stock, either hogs, cattle and property of any description be sold by my executors and the proceeds equally divided so as to comply with the foregoing will.

Item 11. I hereby constitute and appoint Isham Reddish of the County of Appling in said State; Elijah E. Stafford, Tattnall County & Nathaniel B. Stafford of the same place Executors of this my last will and testament.

In presence of said testament at his special request & of each other this 5th day of July 1853.

Witnesses:

R. C. Surrency

Jacob Howard

R. H. Peacock          E. Stafford (L. S.)

Ezekiel's first bequest stands out- that his old servants Ben and Ann shall not become Slaves to any person after his death, and basically frees them. He must have had an affection for the two to make this bequest, especially as the first one he makes in his will. He then goes on in his will to name 18 Slaves, who he distributes to his children and grandchildren. In the 1850 Slave Schedules he owned 21 Slaves, which goes well with the 20 named in his will. He later mentions hogs and cattle as well, meaning that the Stafford lands had livestock on them. He must have owned a fair bit of land, because he leaves a tract of land that's around 805 acres large to his son Elijah. 

His probate must have gone on for a while, as there are extant estate vouchers dating to 1856 for his property, three years after his death, including for sale of timber and "division of the negroes". 

Overall, the will of Ezekiel Stafford gives an important insight into the life of this early Tattnall settler and citizen, one of my most recent Slave owning ancestors. In his will he leaves Slaves to my 4th great grandfather, Noah G. Pittman, who was still a young boy at the time, along with his siblings. If it wasn't for the Civil War, where Noah fought as a Confederate soldier for around three years, the institution of Slavery may have endured in the South until even more recently in my family tree. That would be a true horror. May the Slaves of Ezekiel Stafford rest in peace and happy memory. 

Tombstone Tuesday: Hannah White (1646-1709) of Ipswich, Massachusetts

Hannah White, my 9th great-grandmother on my mother's side, was born circa 1646 as the youngest daughter of John White and Joane West, Puritan immigrants from South Petherton, Somerset, England. Her parents and siblings had come to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1638 during the Great Migration, and settled in Wenham, near Salem, before removing to Lancaster. Hannah was likely born in Wenham, although her birth isn't recorded. Her father John later described her as "nurse to him in his old age". In 1663, at Lancaster, she married the Ensign John Divoll. Tragedy struck the family on February 10, 1676, when Wampanoag Indian warriors attacked Lancaster and destroyed the town. Her husband John was killed in defense of the garrison house, along with two of her children. Meanwhile Hannah as well as her other two children were taken captive by the Indians. She was later ransomed along with her son William and apparently her daughter, also named Hannah, my 8th great-grandmother. Around 1678 she remarried to Samuel Lummus of Ipswich, and had a son named Samuel. Hannah died on December 22, 1709 at Ipswich, having led a fascinating life, the daughter of Puritan immigrants who saw her husband and two children killed by Indians, was taken captive by Indians and later ransomed, and to live out her life in the growing Colony. She was buried at Hamilton Cemetery in Hamilton, Massachusetts. 

The grave of Hannah White is a beautiful one, and is very old and damaged. You can make out some Puritan symbolism on the grave, with a visible death head and wings at the top of the grave. Puritan graves are always such beautiful finds. 

Inscription on the Grave: 

HERE LYES THE BODY OF

MRS. HANNAH LUMMUS

WIFE TO MR. SAMUEL LUMMUS

AGED 65 YEARS

DIED DEC. 22ND, 1709

William Henry Trescot's Poem at the Confederate Soldier Monument

While contemplating the meaning of Confederate ancestry a while back, I stumbled upon a poem that is inscribed, or was inscribed, on the Confederate State Memorial at the South Carolina State Capitol. Personally, all forms of racism, bigotry, sexism, homophobia, etc. are absolutely repulsive and anathema to me. Yet as a passionate genealogist and recorder of family history, I cannot deny the reality- I descend from a legacy of racism. Many of my ancestors owned Slaves- three of my four grandparents descend from Slave owners. And multiple ancestors of mine saw service for the Confederate States of America, an illegitimate entity formed out of rebellion against the Union, in the defense of African chattel Slavery. While I also have ancestors who fought in defense of the Union, more of my ancestors were Confederates then were loyal to the Union. This is probably because much of my maternal ancestry is traced to Dutch immigrants, but the point still stands. And so this moral conundrum is central to my reflections in my genealogical research- how can I love and honor my ancestors, when so many of them led downright evil and despicable lives? 

The inscribed poem on the Confederate Soldier Monument at the South Carolina State House by William Henry Trescot does an excellent job in summarizing my feelings on those men in my ancestry who saw service for a brutal cause. Without them, I would not exist. They are my ancestors just the same as those who fought for the Union, fought for American independence from Britain, came to West Michigan from the Kingdom of the Netherlands, lived as faithful Anglicans and Puritans in Merry Old England and Puritan New England, and were pious Lutherans in the Holy Roman Empire. I honor them as well as all my other ancestors, despite my horror at their lives. 

This monument perpetuates the memory, of those who

true to the instincts of their birth, faithful to the teachings of their fathers,

constant in their love for the state, died in the performance of their duty:

who have glorified a fallen cause by the simple manhood of their lives,

the patient endurance of suffering, and the heroism of death,

and who, in the dark hours of imprisonment,

in the hopelessness of the hospital, 

in the short, sharp agony of the field

found support and consolation in the belief

that at home they would not be forgotten.

Let the stranger, who may in the future times

read this inscription, recognize that these were men

whom power could not corrupt, whom death could not terrify,

whom defeat could not dishonor and let their virtues plead

for just judgment of the cause in which they perished.

Let the South Carolinian of another generation remember

that the State taught them how to live and how to die.

And that from her broken fortunes she has preserved for her children

the priceless treasure of their memories, teaching all who may claim

the same birthright that truth, courage and patriotism

endure forever.

In Memory of Complicated Men: Sgt. Joseph Franklin Winn Sr., James F. Benton, William J. Humphreys, Bartholomew K. Bragg, Noah G. Pittman, and possibly others. 

On Bentheimer Ancestry

When I first got into Genealogy in the Summer of 2016, I was able to begin tracing back much of my maternal grandfather's ancestry in the Netherlands, because he'd already done the research. Much of my maternal grandmother's ancestry as well is traceable in the Netherlands, although she also has some New England Puritan and Pennsylvania German lines. While documenting her Dutch origins, for example, Ver Hoef (Doornspijk, Gelderland) and Harkema (Ulrum, Groningen), I found two Dutch immigrant families that appear not to have come from the Netherlands. These are the families of my 3rd great grandmother Jennie Grote (1872-1955) and my great-great grandmother Minnie Harmsen (1880-1960). Both of them appear to have born in a land known as the Bentheim, or more specifically, Grafschaft Bentheim, which still puzzles and confuses me. 

The flag of Grafschaft Bentheim, Germany 

The County (Grafschaft in German) of Bentheim is a district (landkreis) in Lower Saxony, Germany, right on the German-Dutch border. It borders the Dutch Provinces of Overijissel (home of my TerVree ancestors) and Drenthe (home of my Strick ancestors). Back in the days of the Holy Roman Empire, the territory that is now Grafschaft Bentheim was a State of the Empire known, not surprisingly, as the County of Bentheim. 

The County has a turbulent history, and according to Harger, "the people of Bentheim have never lost their independence. They became Hanoverians; they were invaded by Napoleon. Prussia took them over in 1866. They lived under the Kaiser and under Hitler. Through all this they came with good courage. If you ask them today about their identity, they just might tell you, 'Wy bin't Groofschappers' (We are from the County)." Some important events in Bentheim history include: 

100 AD: Twente was part of independent Frisia. The Tubanti tribe lived in this area.

719: Charles Martel conquered most of the area and incorporated it into the Carolingian empire.

828: A northern section split off of Twente and became an independent state called Bentheim, having their own counts to rule them almost as a separate country. The rest of Twente is now a part of the Netherlands.

1116: The castle of Bentheim is mentioned for the first time, its wooden structure being completely destroyed in a war between the Holy Roman Emperor and the Duke of Saxony. It was quickly rebuilt. 

1277: The county is divided into Bentheim-Bentheim and Bentheim-Tecklenburg.

1312: Uelsen is taken from Twente & added to Bentheim.

1544: Arnold II of Bentheim-Steinfurt united the counties of Bentheim and Steinfurt, a county just south of present Bentheim. He also made the county Lutheran. Churches turning from Catholic to Lutheran included the ones in Veldhausen, Uelsen and Neuenhaus.

1613: Count Arnold Jobst established the Reformed Church as the religion of the area, most churches then becoming Reformed. They remain Reformed to this day.

1618: The Thirty Years War brought a financial crisis; many towns were plundered by unpaid Catholic Spanish soldiers, seen as a punishment for the area becoming Reformed.

1636: The Plague hits the Bentheim; between fleeing to the Netherlands & dying from the plague, 2/3 of the people of Bentheim vanished.

1643: The county split in 2 again, our half being Bentheim-Bentheim.

1688: Count Ernest Willem became Roman Catholic which caused a fierce crisis. All Reformed pastors were expelled.

1702: Ernest Willem's son, Count Ernest, converted to Lutheranism. A new constitution was written up in favor of the Reformed churches.

1752: The Electorate of Hanover seized the county after 700 years of its fierce independence. Thus the King of England ended up ruling it from very far away.

1803: The house of Bentheim-Bentheim became extinct, and the count of Bentheim-Steinfurt obtained it, including the castle. This family owns the castle and rights to much of the land to this day.

1806: Bentheim spent 10 years being swapped from country to country. In 1806 it was incorporated into Prussia. Then in 1810 it was added to Napoleon’s empire. In 1815 Bentheim returned to Hanover.

1846: Many people who had joined a more conservative Reformed church joined many Dutch people in immigrating to America to worship the way they wanted. This immigration lasted through the 1880's.

1866: Bentheim and Hanover were incorporated into Prussia, then Germany.

Source: Landkreis Grafschaft Bentheim, WikiTree One Place Studies Project

The County of Bentheim is composed largely of fenland, a type of peat-accumulating wetland, and early settlement was concentrated along the banks of the rivers which pass through the county. In culture and language, the Bentheim shares more with Dutch culture then German, which is probably why many Bentheimers in the United States listed their native land as the Netherlands. One longstanding tradition in the Bentheim is that of arranged marriages.  In the old days, the parents arranged for their children to marry a distant relative. Weddings lasted three days with each invited guest giving about 100 DM ($50 in 1988) to the newly married couple. The couple signed the marriage contract before the ceremony. The presentation of the dowry and hope chest was part of the ceremony.

In my Genealogical research, my Bentheimer ancestors have been among my most complicated. 

GROTE 

For the longest time, my 3rd great grandmother, Jennie Grote, was one of my more confusing ancestors. Her birth date was always changing around, but for now it seems she was born on February 14, 1872, and baptized on the 23rd in Uelsen, Grafschaft Bentheim. She was also married three times, which always complicates things. 

Her parents were Jan Hendrik Grote and Geertje Laarman, who both appear in the "Emigrants from Grafschaft Bentheim List" compiled by the Bentheimers International Society: 

Groote, Jan Hendrik—born 1835, married Geerdjen Laarman, from Haftenkamp to Allegan County, Michigan, emigrated 1881

Laarman, Geerdjen—born 1845, married Jan Hindrik Grote, from Haftenkamp to Allegan County, Michigan, emigrated 1881

The couple apparently immigrated to the United States of America in 1881, probably for religious reasons, and settled in Allegan County, Michigan. They appear to have lived in Allegan County for the rest of their lives, as Jan Hendrik died in Fillmore, Allegan on December 4, 1915 and Geerdjen died in Fillmore on January 17, 1922. With the limited information available on this couple, we can draw up a basic family tree. The couple married in Wilsum, Grafschaft Bentheim on January 31, 1864 and had at least three children born in the County before emigration. Their ancestry can be traced to their parents, but no further at the moment. Jan Hendrik was the son of Berend Grote and his wife Janna, and Geerdjen was the daughter of Hendrik Laarman and his wife Miena. This family is definitely a subject of future research, as it appears they moved around quite a bit in the Bentheim- baptizing children in Uelsen, marrying in Wilsum, and apparently residing in Haftenkamp as well. 

HARMSEN 

Even more complicated then the Grote family has been the origins of my great-great grandmother, Minnie Harmsen, wife of the notorious Albert Ver Hoef. Until last summer, her origins were basically one of my biggest brick walls. My research as of last summer showed that she was born circa September 1882 in the Netherlands, and was the daughter of Lucas Harmsen, who is named in her marriage record to Albert. A family reunion document in the possession of my maternal grandfather lists her mother as Zwenna Huls. She emigrated to the United States around 1890-1892, my final immigrant ancestor, and according to her obituary was 8 when she came to this country. In 1900 she was living in Saugatuck, in Allegan County, Michigan, as a servant girl for the Rogers family. On September 4, 1903 she married Albert Ver Hoef and from there her life is pretty well documented. 

However, I could never find any possible candidates for her parents. No births on WieWasWie that could possibly match her, either. So I posted on the Genealogy Subreddit hoping somebody could help me break this brick wall, and it seems we did- she was born in the Bentheim!

From research conducted by a user named Contraseign, it appears that she was baptized as Harmina on September 9, 1880 in Itterbeck, Grafschaft Bentheim, a daughter of Lucas Harmsen and Swenne Hülshuis. This seems to match well with the family reunion documents mentioned earlier, that record that Minnie was a descendant of a Gerrit Jan Vos- apparently, that is her maternal grandfather! He was apparently born in Höcklenkamp, Grafschaft Bentheim in 1835. I also remember seeing some DNA matches that appeared to come from this family, so it seems like we've finally found her origin!

Although more research is needed, particularly into her cause for emigration (possibly coming from the fact that both of her parents were dead by the time that she was 11, and she was in the hands of step-parents), it appears fairly certain that her ancestry can be traced in the Bentheim back to at least the 1700s on a couple of lines. The source I used for much of research however, the "Ortsfamilienbuch Uelsen Familienbericht" seems to lead to more questions then answers. For example, why do a lot of children seem to be taking their mother's names? More research is needed. 

THE BENTHEIMER ANCESTRY OF MY GIRLFRIEND

In doing Toni's genealogy, I have discovered that Bentheimer ancestry is fairly well distributed among the community of Dutch Americans in West Michigan. She descends from the following emigrants listed in the "Emigrants from Grafschaft Bentheim List":

• DeGroot, Hindrikje—born 1832, married Hermannus Timmer, from Vorwald to Allegan County, Michigan, emigrated 1872
• Jacobs, Jan Hendrik—born 1867, married Anna Timmer, from Uelsen to Allegan County, Michigan, emigrated 1885
• Lubbers, Berend—born 1802, married Jenne Miskotten, from Neuringe to Ottawa County, Michigan, emigrated 1857
• Lubbers, Hendrik—born 1837, married Zw. Schrotenboer, from Neuringe to Allegan County, Michigan, emigrated 1856
• Miskotten, Jenne—born 1813, married Berend Lubbers, from Tinholt to Allegan County, Michigan, emigrated 1857
• Speet, Gerrit Jan—born 1825, married Zwantje Kropschot, from Bahne to Allegan County, Michigan, emigrated 1847
• Timmer, Hermannes—born 1833, married Hendrikje DeGroot, from Vorwald to Ottawa County, Michigan, emigrated 1872

While I still know very little about the Grafschaft Bentheim or her culture and history, I am still proud of my origins there, and it is an integral part of my ancestry. Our ancestors came from this rich and vibrant land, located in Germany but of Dutch culture, fiercely independent, of a checkered religious history, but still a glorious land. One day hopefully I will visit this land. Until then, I hope to eventually find a copy of Ludwig Sager's eminent book, "Die Grafschaft Bentheim in die Geschichte" (County Bentheim in History, or The History of The County of Bentheim). It would be excellent reading material. 

SOURCES: 

https://bentheimheritage.com/   The Bentheimers International Society

https://bentheimheritage.com/resources/emigrants-from-grafschaft-bentheim/   Emigrants from Grafschaft Bentheim List 

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Space:Landkreis_Grafschaft_Bentheim  Landkreis Grafschaft Bentheim

https://www.reddit.com/r/Genealogy/comments/gk16e5/help_breaking_through_a_break_wall_2x_great/   Help breaking through a brick wall (2x great grandmother, Michigan/Netherlands) 

https://www.grafschafter-geschichte.de/   Die Grafschaft Bentheim in der Geschichte (The Grafschaft Bentheim in History) 

“The Vechte River in Summer” by Gary Gemmen

The Emlichheim Baptismal Font (Taufstein)

Long Live the County of Bentheim! 

Obituary Observations: George Alexander Morris of Covesville, Virginia and Princeton, West Virginia (1875-1938)

My great-great grandfather, George Alexander Morris, is an enigmatic figure, and possibly the great-great grandparent I'm the most interested in. When I began my research, it took a long time to begin to unravel his life. Firstly because his name, like that of many Southerners, was constantly reported differently. Was his name George? Alexander? Alexandra? Earley? Even Nicholas? It seems like it was George Alexander, but we can't be sure. When I first made contact with my sort of cousin Tony, I did not know that an obituary was even published for great-great grandpa George, but he had found it and uploaded it to his tree: 

Transcription: 

ALEXANDER MORRIS TAKEN BY DEATH

WASHINGTON AVENUE STONE MASON PASSES AFTER SHORT ILLNESS; FUNERAL SERVICES TO BE THIS AFTERNOON

Alexander Morris, 63, died at his home on Washington Avenue at 10:10 o'clock Friday morning following a twenty four-hour illness. He was taken ill Thursday. 

He was born April 19, 1875 at Cavesville, Va., where he resided until 1912 when he moved to Princeton. He was a stone mason. Besides his widow, Rebecca Hall Morris, Morris leaves his mother, Mrs. Al Morris, of Cavesville, Va., one brother, Gene Morris, of Cavesville; and twelve children, Gene, Emmett, Theodore, George, Harvey, Alley, Mrs. Nelle Parish, Mrs. Julia Hardwell, Mrs. Elsie Hare, Mrs. Mary Sadler, Annie Morris, of Princeton; and John Morris, Tug River. Mr. Morris was a member of the local Presbyterian church. 

Funeral services will be conducted at the home at 2 o'clock this afternoon by the Rev. W. R. Smith, Jr., pastor of the Presbyterian church. Burial will be in Helsel Cemetery. 

This Obituary ends up being one of the most useful documents that exists in terms of unraveling the life of my great-great grandfather. Here are some of the facts that I observed:

• His name is given as Alexander. While this was probably not his full name, it is very likely that he was chiefly known as Alexander to friends and family. 
• His birth date is listed, April 19, 1875. In the unfortunately extremely common habit endemic to Southern genealogy, this date contradicts the only other specific birth date given, of April 19, 1873 in the U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007. At the very least his birthday is confirmed as April 19, although this contradicts (!) the 1900 Census, which says he was born in January. The reason I believe 1875 is more accurate then 1873, is because the obituary was printed before the Social Security claim. However, the 1920 and 1930 Censuses report his age as closer to 1873. The claims are still useful genealogically, since they give his SSN: 233-12-4029. 
• His hometown, as well as the current residence of his mother and brother, is listed as "Cavesville" in Virginia. This is a misprinting of Covesville, an unincorporated community of Albemarle County. Morris is shown living in Albemarle County in both the 1900 and 1910 Censuses, and in 1910 was living directly in Covesville. 
• Two facts about his life are included, that he was a Stone Mason and a Presbyterian. He must have attended church regularly, as he is listed as a member of the church. 
• Very importantly, the obituary dates the family's move to Princeton from Covesville as being in 1912. This adds up well with established evidence, and helps prove that his daughter Mary, my great-grandmother, was born in Covesville and not Princeton. In August 1912, his son Emmett was born in Princeton, and in April 1915, his son Gene was born in Princeton. 
• Death dates are unknown for both his mother and father, but this obituary helps narrow them down. His father is not mentioned as a survivor, meaning that he is already dead, and since his father appears in the 1930 Census, we can date his death as happening between 1930 and May 1938. His mother is still living however, so we can date her death as happening after May 1938. The obituary also gives the name of his father as Al Morris. 
• The obituary states that he lived on Washington Avenue in Princeton, which helps narrow down the family's residence, although his address is not given. 
• Twelve children are mentioned as living, and the name of one comes to mind, Harvey, which was also the name of his father-in-law, the unknown Harvey Hall. 
• His burial site is listed, Helsel Cemetery. 
• His cause of death is not listed in the obituary, although it was a sudden illness. His death certificate confirms it to be Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis. 

Obituaries are often overlooked, but they can be gold mines of genealogical information for confusing and complicated families such as the Princeton Morris's. 

Lynchings and my Ancestors

The Lynching in America Project has done historians and genealogists a service with their interactive map showing where in America lynchings have occurred, and how many there were, by county. Luckily I have not documented that any of my ancestors participated in a lynching, but it is definitely possible. Several of my pre-1865 Southern ancestors were Slave owners and Confederates, so their twisted values were likely passed on through a few generations. Up to at least my father's maternal grandmother, some parts of my family were openly racist. In the interest of documenting the openly racist society that my paternal ancestors grew up in, I have compiled a list of the counties that my Southern ancestors lived in, with the number of lynchings that they possibly witnessed or participated in, using the Lynching in America Project. 

• Dyer County, Tennessee (Freels): 7 Reported Lynchings 
• Haywood County, Tennessee (Clemons, Freels): 4 Reported Lynchings 
• Laurens County, South Carolina (Winn): 11 Reported Lynchings 
• McDowell County, West Virginia (Saddler): 4 Reported Lynchings 
• Mercer County, West Virginia (Saddler, Morris): 10 Reported Lynchings (worst in the State of West Virginia)
• Navarro County, Texas (Humphreys): 5 Reported Lynchings 
• Polk County, Florida (Winn, Clemons): 20 Reported Lynchings (one of the brighter counties on the map, and tied with Columbia County for 2nd worst in the State of Florida)
• Tattnall County, Georgia (Winn, Benton): 5 Reported Lynchings 
• Toombs County, Georgia (Pittman): 3 Reported Lynchings 
• Volusia County, Florida (Winn): 4 Reported Lynchings 

Some counties that ancestors of mine lived in before 1865 had several reported lynchings as well:

• Colleton County, South Carolina (Benton): 10 Reported Lynchings 
• Tazewell County, Virginia: 7 Reported Lynchings
• Wythe County, Virginia: 3 Reported Lynchings 

My grandmother's first husband (she wasn't married to my grandfather), the father of my uncle and aunt, was from Pemiscot County, Missouri, which had 3 Reported Lynchings. 

One thing to note, is that not all of my ancestors lived in these counties for the entirety of the time covered by the Lynching in America Project, so there are probably several Lynchings that my ancestors could not have witnessed or participated in. But this is only the beginning of my research and it is very possible I'll never know if any of my ancestors were involved in such a sordid, terrible act. 

FURTHER RESOURCES: 

• https://lynchinginamerica.eji.org/explore   Lynching in America Project Interactive Map
• https://calendar.eji.org/racial-injustice/sep/5  Walter Johnson Lynched in Princeton, West Virginia
• https://www.newschief.com/news/20180505/lynchings-klan-activity-part-of-polks-history  Lynchings, Klan activity part of Polk’s history
• http://peachypast.blogspot.com/2017/12/4-members-of-padgett-family-go-down-in.html  4 Members of the Padgett Family Go Down in a Hail of Bullets
• https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/emmett-lynching-america/  Lynching in America

Rest in peace to all victims of Lynching. You will be remembered forever