During this, is my 12th A to Z Challenge, I will be writing 26 alphabetical posts about my paternal grandmother’s and maternal grandfather’s grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and a few neighbors. I think I have a few partially written drafts, but I’m far from ready.
See you in April.
Maternal grandfather Mershell C. Graham and paternal grandmother Pearl R. Cleage
Clara Hoskins was my 2 X great grandmother and first appeared to me in a family tree my paternal grandmother Pearl Reed Cleage wrote for me.
Clara was born in Kentucky about 1825. In 1870 she lived in Lebanon, Kentucky with her husband James Green, ten year old Benjamin Green and five year old granddaughter Josephine “Josie” Campbell. I do not know if Benjamin was their child, another grandchild or a nephew. He was attending school and was able to read. Clara did not work outside of the home. James was a carpenter. Both were illiterate. Her three children lived within walking distance of her home. The neighbors on both sides were also carpenters.
20 Nov 1871 • Lebanon, Marion, Kentucky, USA
“Item: I give and bequeath to Clara Greene and to Sara Jane Primas and to Virgie Ray and to Jim Ray all of color and my former servants the sum of one hundred dollars each .”
In the 1880 census James and Clara lived alone. Although James was sick and disabled, his occupation was still listed as carpenter. Several people living nearby had consumption.
My great grandmother Anna Reed lived next door with her six children
Clara died before her husband. I do not have a death date because Marion county did not keep death records at that time, however, on October 31, 1895, Frank White was appointed to administer the estate of James Green, deceased. As there was no mention of Clara, I surmise that she was already dead.
Clara was Catholic so I hoped that I would find her and her family in the Baptismal or Burial records for Marion County. I found her daughter Sarah and her children listed as being baptized at St. Augustine Catholic church. I did not find Thomas or Anna listed. A Clara was listed, but if Clara was born in 1825, I hope that she would nor have given birth ten years later.
“Ceremonies of baptism supplied, 6-21-1835, to St. Charles Catholic Church of Susanna Rebecca, servant of Widow Osking or Hoskins. Age 7 weeks. Sponsor, Teresa, servant of Th. Spalding. Mother: Clara, servant of Widow Osking or Hoskins.” from the CD “Marion County – Black Baptisms”
One of Clara Hoskin Greene’s great grandsons, my father, ready to take photos.
CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN
Sarah Jane Ray 1845–1907 – Born into slavery, Illiterate. Day work after husband (Felix Primous) died. Birthed nine. Eight lived to adulthood.
Susan Primous – 1863–1915
Elizabeth Primous – 1864–1911
Frank Prymous – 1867–1942
John Thomas Ray Primous – 1870–1927
Estella Jane Primous – 1872–1880
Edna Ulalia Primous- 1876–1956
Joseph William Primus – 1878–1931
Martha “Mattie” Prymous – 1883–1938
Thomas Ray Allen 1847–1907 – Born into slavery; learned to read and write as an adult; served with the United States Colored Troops; hostler (takes care of horses); married twice; childless.
Anna Ray Allen 1849–1911 – Born into slavery, never learned to read or write; laundress; birthed eight children all lived to adulthood.
Josie Campbell – 1865–1900
George A Reed -1867–1945
Sarah Jane Reed – 1871–1954
Lillian Louise Reed – 1873–1938
Hugh Reed Averette – 1876–1951
Minnie Averitt Reed – 1878–1963
Clarence Elwood Reed – 1882–1954
Pearl Doris Reed – 1884–1982 (My grandmother)
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Other posts in this series
Marietta Ray Foster’s Death and Will – 1872
Agnes Primus
Agnes Primus was born into slavery in Maryland about 1835. When I found her, she was enslaved by Foster and Marietta Ray in Lebanon, Kentucky. Her two children were born there and were baptized at St. Augustine Catholic Church in Lebanon.
Agnes son John was born May 9, 1852. He was baptized by Rev. John B. Hutchins on March 4, 1853. Agnes was listed as the mother, a servant of Foster Ray. Although they use the word “servant” they were all enslaved.
Her daughter, Kate Elizabeth was born April 12, 1855 and baptized February 28, 1857 again by Rev. John B. Hutchins at St. Augustine Catholic Church. Agnes listed as mother, servant of Foster Ray.
In the 1870 census, Agnes Primus and her two children, now 18 and 17, were among the servants enumerated in the household of Marietta and Colonel Thomas Foster. Col. Thomas Foster was listed as a farmer with real estate worth $324,150 and personal worth valued at $81,460. The photo above shows their large home. Living there were Marietta’s infirm mother Elizabeth Phillips, her 34 year old nephew/adopted son Hugh B. Ray, a little two year old Belle Phillips, and ten servants. The gardener and the nurse were identified as white. Both were literate. Six were identified as black and Agnes’ children as mulatto. Of the six, five were illiterate. Agnes could read and not write. Katie and John were literate.
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I was surprised to find Katie Primus as a student at Berea College during the 1870-1871 school year. The 1870 Census was taken during the summer so she could have been in Lebanon during the summer at Berea during the school year.
Berea College was founded in Madison County, Kentucky in 1855 by Kentucky abolitionists and educators. The school was integrated and the ministers associated with Berea preached and talked against slavery. After John Brown’s raid in 1859, sentiment ran high against the school. There were numerous mob actions until the staff left Kentucky en masses for points north with plans to return as soon as they could. After the Civil War, they were able to and established the school. Berea was not a college as we think of them today – subjects went from the very basics through the college curriculum. If you are interested, you can read more here.
“Item: I give and bequeath to my faithful nurse Agnes Primas one thousand dollars to be invested by my executors in a house and lot in Lebanon for her and her heirs as they may consider best for her interests.”
Marietta Foster wrote her will November 20, 1871. Among other bequests, she left $1,000 to buy Agnes Primus a house. Marietta Foster died on January 9, 1872.
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In the 1880 Census Agnes Primus was living with a different white family, Harrison and Mary Borders and their daughter Mary, who suffered from rheumatism. Harrison drove an express wagon. There were three servants.
Katie Primus worked as a servant and boarded with the James Smith family. Katie’s brother John Scott married James’ daughter, Hattie Smith later that year. Unfortunately, John died in 1881, soon before their daughter was born on November 20, 1881. Hattie named her John Scott, after her father. That was pretty confusing as I thought she must be a boy with that name. Rev. Peter Joseph DeFraine baptized John Scott Primus, six days later at St. Augustine Catholic Church. Katie Primus was the sponsor.
In 1885 Katie Primus married Henry C. Allen in Chicago, Ill. By 1900, they had three sons Primus, Guy and Stanley.
Agnes lived with Katie and her husband in Chicago until her death in 1919. She is buried in MT Olivet Catholic Cemetery.
At first Katie’s husband Henry worked as a waiter in a hotel. Later did catering. By 1920 they owned their home valued at $5,000 free of mortgage. In the early years, Katie did hairdressing. Later she had no occupation outside of the home. Through the years the house was full of family – sons, and grandchildren. Henry died in 1930. Katie followed him eight years later in 1938. She was buried in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.
John Scott Primus, born in 1882, chose to be known as Scottie Primus. She took her step father’s last name – Davis. Scottie became a high school English teacher. She taught in Kansas City, Missouri for many years, retiring to Louisville, Kentucky where she died in 1963.
The oldest was named Primus A. Allen was born in 1887. He completed the 6th grade. He was tall, slim with blue eyes. He married and had one son. Although he started his work life as a plasterer, he later became a red cap with railroads and continued with that. He lived with his brother Guy when he died in 1954.
Guy Eugene Allen was born in 1890. He completed four years of high school. He was tall, slender with brown eyes and brown hair. He and his wife had two sons. For awhile he worked as a postman. Later, Guy had his own business building and repairing houses. He owned his own home, right down the street from his brother Stanley. He died in 1986.
Stanley Henry Allen was born in 1892. He completed the 8th grade. He was medium height, medium weight with dark brown eyes, black hair and light brown complexion. He was a porter at the railroad station. He married but had no children. He owned his home when died in 1970.
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Agnes Primus and her family came a long way from slavery. I could not find any evidence that Agnes owned a home in Lebanon, Kentucky. Perhaps she did and sold it, financing her move with Katie to Chicago.
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Marietta Ray Foster’s Death and Will – 1872
In the Civil War pension file of my 2x great uncle Thomas Allen, I learned that the slave holder of my paternal grandmother’s grandmother and and her children was Foster Ray of Marion County, Kentucky. His wife’s name was Marietta Philips Ray. He died in 1863. Unfortunately he left his affairs in order so there was no need for probate with a list of those people he enslaved.
“Were you a slave? If so, state the names of all former owners, particularly the name of your owner at the date of your enlistment. Yes, only had one Foster Ray.“
Several years later Foster Ray’s wife, Marietta remarried. Her second husband was Col Thomas Foster. She died in 1872 and according to newspaper articles, there was an outpouring of sorrow. Her funeral was crowded with standing room only. The eulogy was printed as a pamphlet because so many people wanted a copy. Unfortunately I was unable to find one.
The funeral of Mrs. Marietta Foster late consort of Col. T.J. Foster of this city, took place at the Baptist church at ten o’clock last Wednesday morning. The respect and affection felt for the deceased was strikingly evinced on this occasion by the uncommonly large assembly which came together to pay this last sad tribute to her memory. The house was filled to its utmost capacity, the seats being nearly all occupied by ladies, while most of the gentlemen stood in the aisles and other available standing room. Many went away because they were unable to find a place in the house.
The services were opened by the chanting of a voluntary by the choir- “Silent Land,” in D minor – a most touching and appropriate musical composition, admirably interpreted by a few fine voices. Rev. V. E. Kirtley conducted the introductory services, after which the funeral discourse was preached by Rev. T.H. Cleland, D. D., from the text, “And in the garden there was a sepulchre.” The sermon was a deeply impressive and feeling one, and held the audience spell-bound from the initial sentence to the close. We shall not mar it by attempting a synopsis, as it will be printed in full in pamphlet form in a few days.
At the conclusion of the services the remains were removed and interred in Ryder Cemetery.
Few persons have ever died more generally regretted by all their acquaintances than Mrs. Foster. The kindness of her disposition and the suavity of her manners, entirely free from any trace of pride or exclusiveness upon the hearts of all with whom she came in contact and attracted them irresistibly toward her. The loss so deeply deplored by those nearest to her is sensibly felt and sincerely lamented by the whole community.
Transcribed from The Standard and Times, Lebanon, Kentucky • Wed, Jan 17, 1872 Page 1
In her Will, Marietta Ray foster left some money to those she described as her former servants. My great great grandmother Clara Hoskins Greens and her daughter Sara Ray Primus were among those named.
About 1871 Marion, Kentucky, USA
Will Date: 20 Nov 1871 Probate Date: 20 Nov 1871
Item: I give and bequeath to my faithful nurse Agnes Primas one thousand dollars to be invested by my executors in a house and lot in Lebanon for her and her heirs as they may consider best for her interests.
Item: I give and bequeath to Clara Greens and to Sara Jane Primas and to Virgie Ray and to Jim Ray all of color and my former servants the sum of one hundred dollars each and to Tresey Maxwell and Betsey Doneghy (also of color) the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars each.
Item: I request that my said nephew Hugh B. Ray shall out of the remainder which may accrue to him of my estate after my husband’s death, expend the sum of five hundred dollars in the education of Tim (Jim?) the son of Stephen Doueghy and Betsey his wife.
Did they receive this money? Did it change their lives? It was hard to tell with only the censuses and other records available online. More to come.
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Thomas Ray Allen 1847 – 1907
Foster Ray – Slaveholder
This was my twelfth year doing the A to Z Challenge. When I did my first challenge in 2013, there were over 1,800 participants. This year there were 179. I didn’t notice a big change in the number of comments. In fact, I may have gotten a few more this year. I was especially happy to get comments from several of my family members!
This year for the A to Z Challenge I posted an event for each date involving someone in my family tree. I had all of my posts pre-written. I did a bit of editing on the last few right before they published because I had left them since I had so much time and then forgotten. After reading On This Day in April by CRGalvin, I decided that every day during April I would also pick a happening from my family history that happened on that date.
I enjoyed finding the daily items and was able to make some new connections in my ancestors lives. When I do the A to Z Challenge, I have to look at my information in a different way. I look at facts that I may not have paid much attention to and find connections previously ignored.
You will find a list of my posts from this year here -> A to Z Challenge 2025 – April Family Happenings. I noticed some people are breaking down how many posts they did for men and how many for women this month. I did 13 for women (including two for me) and ten for men. With the remaining three about the founding of Witherspoon United Presbyterian Church including both.
I visited and commented on a variety of blogs. I did not attempt to visit all of them. These are the blogs I visited and commented on most days.
Anne’s Family History: family members matching the alphabet – Anne Young
Atherton’s Magic Vapour: a murder mystery – Melanie Atherton
A Multitude of Musings: personal growth and self-improvement – Astrid
Black and White: Bittersweetness & Light – Anne E.G. Nydam
Bold + Queer Kin: Melissa
CRACKERBERRIES: Empathy – Barbie
The Curry Apple Orchard: The Swinging Sixties – Linda Curry
Earlier Years: On This Day in April – CR Galvin
Family history across the seas: Airports, Airstrips, Aircraft, and Airlines – Cassmob (Pauleeen Cass)
How would you know…:Nonlinear memoir – Andrew Wilson
JillBallAu: jottings, journeys, joy – Jill Ball
Joy’s Book Blog: Activism – Joy Weese Moll
Living the Dream: personal musings – Susanne Matthews
Madly-in-Verse: all about Sarees – Nilanjana Bose
Musings of a Middle-Aged Mom: based on travel through Egypt, Turkey, and Greece – Lisa
Tell Me Another | personal stories, creative non-fiction: Books she loves – Josna Rege
Tracking Down The Family: The Earl Grey Orphan Scheme – Jennifer Jones
Very Important Stuff Here: Characters – tiredhamster
Thanks to the team that organizes the A to Z Challenge, to my husband who proof reads my posts and catches problems and to all those who read my posts and comment.
For this year’s A to Z Challenge, I will be posting an event for that date involving someone in my family tree. Of course it will also involve the letter of the day. It may be a birth, a death, a christening, a journal entry, a letter or a newspaper article. If the entry is a news item, it will be transcribed immediately below. Click on photographs to enlarge in another window.
A group of delegates who attended the third annual Conference at Plymouth Congregational church last week. Seated left to right are: Roger Canfield, Mary Virginia Graham (note: my mother’s sister), Alice Stanton, Ida Pettiford, and Mary Goodson. Standing left to right. Frank Elkins, Clarence Woods, and the Rev. Horace White, pastor of Plymouth.
Plans are well under way for a Youth conference which is scheduled to be held early in April. The planning committee, consisting of: Theodore Crosby, Clarence Bradfield, Herbert Simms, Todd Cleage (note; my father. His nickname was Toddy), Oscar Hand, Porter Dillard, Pearl Walker, Gloster Current, Clarence Bradley, Flossie Williams, Edward Swan, Ida M. Pettiford, Louise Blackman, Florine Cage, Lawrence Green, chairman and others, met last Monday evening to discuss further already tentative plans. The theme of the meeting will be “The World We Live In.” Todd Cleage was appointed to submit plans for the conduct of sessions dealing with change in government.
Edward Swan was appointed chairman of projects. Louise Blackman is chairman of sessions dealing with personal and social philosophies; Porter Dillard, chairman of the student sessions, and Pearl Walker, chairman of publicity.
Sharecropper Here
Rev. Horace White announced at the last meeting that there was a possibility of securing as main speaker for meet the outstanding hero of the recent sharecropper dilemma occurring recently in southeastern Missouri, the Reverend Owen Whitfield.
It is expected that Langston Hughes will also appear as a main attraction. The next committee meeting will be held Monday evening at Plymouth Congregational Church at 9 p.m. All youth groups interested in participating are requested to contact Lawrence Green at Plymouth church..
‘Best Poetry, Not Books, But In Lives Of Men And Women’
“For want of a poet, the people perished,” is an old allegation. but last Sunday evening the people, many of them. lived and were inspired to dare new deeds and new dreams when Langston Hughes, dusky poet, traveler, playwright, lecturer and novelist, in convincingly courageous vein painted graphically, word pictures of the elements which contribute to the making of a virile, progressive race.
Poems of the People
Most of the numbers read by Mr. Hughes were as is characteristic of most of his poetry, poems of the people, their struggles and hardships. His appreciation for the realism therein expressed was emphasized, when In comment he said. “The best poetry is not written in books, but comes from the lives of men and women in the streets.” Representative of this belief were the poems “Elevator Boy” and “Porter.”
Mass Awareness Urged
Urging a comprehensive appreciation of the political structure within which we live, Hughes urged an awareness on the part of the masses of political trends indicating that out of Fascism come such enemies of Justice as unemployment, Jim crowism and economic oppression of millions. Specifically referred to were the recent Scottsboro case and the plight of millions of sharecroppers and tenant farmers throughout the south.
In the poems “Flight” and “Lynching Song” the poet revealed the dogged courage and determination of the Negro in the face of adversity and averred that “Poverty and lynching can kill a strong race.”
“Faith in life, self and the earth, helps a race, as it does an individual to live and to grow,” the poet contended. “It. has been said that no man lives alone and Negroes, to save and bring out the best in life for himself, must unite with other groups and classes whose problems are similar and whose solutions to problems lie in the same channel as the the Negro’s,” Hughes continued.
“The black man through correct evaluation of and reaction to his peculiar situation can teach other races what true Americanism is. The possibilities for resurrection from the dismal. abyss of inertia, the chilly tomb of oppression.’ according to the poet,. “are within the race.”
Closes Season
The presentation of Mr. Hughes marked the end of the successful mid-winter lecture season conducted by the lecture committee of Plymouth Congregational church of which Rev. Horace A. White is pastor. Mrs. Whitby is chairman of the committee..
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Out Yonder on the Road – long article about the sharecroppers demonstration in 1939. Includes photos, causes, methods and end result.
This is an extra post and not a part of the A to Z Challenge. I wanted to share this post for two reasons, there is a photograph of Dee Dee’s Godfather, Jack Franklin sitting in front on the left. And even more so because finally I found a news item describing a gathering at someone’s house and they told us what food was served! I found the recipe below in The Household Searchlight Recipe Book from 1931.
SOCIAL SIXTEEN CLUB The Social Sixteen Club met at the home of Miss Barbara Cleage on Scotten avenue. All members were present and the meeting progressed with the president, Miss Doris Graham presiding. The minutes of the last meeting were read by the secretary, Miss Shirley Turner. Old business was called for and discussed. The new business dealt with the party that the club is planning to give in the near future.
Jack Franklin, who is an amateur photographer and is one of the club’s members, took flood-light pictures of the members present.
Refreshments, which consisted of tuna fish and cheese sandwiches and orange-gingerale drink, was served by the hostess. This repast was enjoyed by all present.
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I found this Sandwiches of History site where he actually makes this sandwich. I had to add it.
Cheese Tuna Sandwich (1937) on Sandwiches of History
byu/SuperHappyFunSlide inSandwichesofHistory
For this year’s A to Z Challenge, I will be posting an event for that date involving someone in my family tree. Of course it will also involve the letter of the day. It may be a birth, a death, a christening, a journal entry, a letter or a newspaper article. If the entry is a news item, it will be transcribed immediately below. Click on photographs to enlarge in another window.
My youngest son Cabral Williams thinking about his next move during the Ludington Optimist Chess Tournament held Saturday at the Ludington High School Library. Children 16 and under participated in the annual event.
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When we lived in Idlewild, Michigan, both of my sons participated in the annual Chess Tournament. You can read more about that at C – CHESS
For this year’s A to Z Challenge, I will be posting an event for that date involving someone in my family tree. Of course it will also involve the letter of the day. It may be a birth, a death, a christening, a journal entry, a letter or a newspaper article. If the entry is a news item, it will be transcribed immediately below. Click on photographs to enlarge in another window.
Below is a letter I wrote home soon after my second daughter was born in Atlanta.
April 17, 1973
Hello Ma and Henry,
How are you 2 doing? The package came today – the blanket is a perfect crib fit and also quite fancy (smile). She probably won’t use it much until this fall since she’s still sleeping in a drawer and I hope it’s warm by the time she gets to the big crib. Do you think that crib there could be mailed or bused down here?
Ife and Jilo are fine. Jilo hasn’t been to school for about a week and her behavior has improved back to her normal self. I think a combination of lack of direction (on the staffs part) and not enough sleep at the school combine to make a dismal day. I am going back to work for half day next month and Jilo will be going to school for half day and Ife will go to work with me since I can move to the empty house where nobody works mornings. I don’t know how long they will go for this – however I am already making plans to start a small school of three over 3’s at $30/week or babysitting them but doing it like a school, so I can stay home. I haven’t quite worked it out yet, but I’m sure with all the working parents and the eminent collapse of Jilo’s school, I can find some ready candidates.
Ife sleeps a lot, except from about 5 to 10, during which she cries, eats, cries, etc. It’s just when I’m trying to cook dinner and that’s a drag, but at least she’s sleeping good at night – not all night, but she’s not crying much at night. For awhile she stayed awake all night instead of the evening.
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For more about life for us during those times -> Cascade Rd. SW, Atlanta
For this year’s A to Z Challenge, I will be posting an event for that date involving someone in my family tree. Of course it will also involve the letter of the day. It may be a birth, a death, a christening, a journal entry, a letter or a newspaper article. If the entry is a news item, it will be transcribed immediately below. Click on photographs to enlarge in another window.
*You don’t have to sign in to comment. You can do so anonymously and add your name in the comment. Or you can fill out the name section only.
Sunday, four generations were represented at the christening of Doris Diane Elkins, the small daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Elkins, of McDougall. The ceremony took place at the home of the baby’s maternal great grand mother, Mrs. Jennie Turner, of Harding avenue. Her paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. M. C. Graham, aIso her paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Elkins, Sr.; her aunts. -Misses Daisy and Alice Turner, and Mrs. Elizabeth Roberts, all were present to witness the event. The baby’s godparents. Mr. and Mrs. Jack Franklin, of Oakland, Calif., sent their godchild a beautiful bonnet for the christening.
Doris Diane Elkins is my first cousin. Our mothers, Mary V. and Doris Graham, were sisters. My sister wondered why our mother wasn’t there. The reason was because she was married and living in San Francisco where my father was co-pastor at Fellowship Church, non-denominational.
