Category Archives: Kentucky

Clara Hoskins Green – My 2X Great Grandmother

African-American Genealogy & Slave Ancestry Research, Kentucky
Cabinet card of an unidentified woman photographed by JP Ball & Son, 1887-1900. James Presley Ball put his work to use in the service of the anti-slavery movement, for example by exhibiting pictures and paintings that showed the institution’s cruelty, in a Cincinnati show in 1855. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

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.

My grandmother Pearl Cleage’s handwritten family tree.

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”

Albert B. Cleage Jr, 1940’s.

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

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Agnes Primus

African-American Genealogy & Slave Ancestry Research, Investigations, Kentucky
Unknown woman is stripped dress holding handkerchief from the Alvan S. Harper Collection

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.

A print of a baby getting baptized. Not related to the subject at hand.

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.

Home of Foster and Marietta Ray. Later Marietta and Col. Thomas Foster. The Lebanon Enterprise
Lebanon, Kentucky • Thu, Mar 29, 1962Page 1

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.

Will of Marietta Foster

Click to enlarge

“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.

Agnes’ Grandchildren

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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More about this family

Marietta Ray Foster’s Death and Will – 1872

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Marietta Ray Foster’s Death and Will – 1872

African-American Genealogy & Slave Ancestry Research, Kentucky, sepia saturday, Slavery
The Standard and Times, Lebanon, Kentucky • Wed, Jan 10, 1872 Page 2

I only had one, Foster Ray…

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.

From the pension file of Thomas Allen

“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.

Funeral of Mrs. Foster

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.

From the Will of Marietta Phillips Foster

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

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T – The Twenty-Third of April

A-Z Challenge 2025, Indianapolis, Kentucky

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.

Hugh Marion (Reed) Averette
Pearl Reed about 1904
Pearl Doris Reed 1904

My grandmother Pearl’s older brother, Hugh Marion Reed was born April 23, 1876, in Lebanon, Marion County, Kentucky.  His family moved to Indianapolis and he grew up there. His later years were spent in Los Angeles, California.


His older siblings George and Sarah were in Indianapolis by 1887. His mother, Anna, and the rest of the family were there by 1892. That would make Hugh between 11 and 16 when he moved to Indiana.He finished the eighth grade and worked as a laborer for several years before enlisting in the US Army at age 22.  He was discharged on November 13, 1898 in Willets Pointe, Queens, New York and  joined the US Navy a month later.  He worked as a Coal Passer on the USS Newark. The Newark saw action in South America and Asia.  In 1900, Hugh was in China. He left the Navy the following year in Boston, Massachusetts. He returned to Indianapolis, Indiana and resumed life as a civilian.

Blanche Celeste with Theresa and Thomas

In 1906 he married Blanche Celeste Young.  The occupation listed on the marriage license was janitor. Their oldest daughter Anna Roberta was born in 1907. Hugh junior was born in 1910. Theresa Pearl was born in 1913 and Thomas Perry, the youngest, was born in 1916.

Hugh jr, Thomas and Theresa, Anna


I could not find a death record for him or any member of his family. Then, I got a phone call from my cousin’s husband Eric, (a fellow researcher and a very good one!). He told me to check my messages on Ancestry.com and waited while I did. Now, he never calls so I knew this had to be big. It was. He had found Hugh’s death record and the reason we couldn’t find him. Hugh’s name on the death record was listed as Hugh Reed Averette. The family had moved to California, changed their name and decided to fade into the white population by “passing”. Averit was the last name of Hugh, Minnie, Clarence and my grandmother Pearl’s birth father – Buford Averit, a doctor with an office in nearby Bradfordsville Kentucky. As far as I know they never shared a house and there are no family stories that he supported his children or made life easier for Anna. In fact, I know nothing about the nature of their relationship except that they had 4 children together. Hugh was the first of the children. There are no contemporary records that prove this relationship, but DNA matches between me and descendants of Buford’s siblings provide proof in addition to family memories.

Hugh Reed Averette died on November 13, 1951.

More About Hugh

Hugh Marion Reed Averette – Navy Experience
Oct. 29, 1905 – A Walk Into the Country, A New Aqueduct And A New Post Office
Training Duke – Sepia Saturday #111

Three of my Grandparent’s Grandparents

Cleages, Grahams, Kentucky, Photographs, Reeds, Saturday Night Genealogy Fun, ,
Mershell “Shell” Graham


My maternal grandfather, Mershell Cunningham Graham was born about 1887 in Coosada Station, Elmore County, Alabama. He was the fourth of six children. His parents farmed. His maternal grandmother lived in Elmore county, but she doesn’t appear in any records after the 1880 census so she was possibly dead before he was born. His maternal grandfather was the slave holder and he died in 1860, well before Mershell was born.
Mershell’s father, William Graham, doesn’t appear with his parents, so I don’t know who they were, much less if they lived nearby and were alive when my grandfather Mershell was.

Albert B. Cleage Sr.

My paternal grandfather, Albert B. Cleage, was born in 1884, the youngest of five children.  His father, Louis Cleage was share cropping in Loudin, Tennessee. After Louis Cleage and his wife Celia Rice Cleage, divorced, she moved back to Athens where her mother Susan Rice Regan lived. Susan lived until 1911 when my grandfather would have been grown. I am sure that he knew her.Susan and al of her children had been enslaved on a Rice plantation south of Athens. Celia’s father was an unknown slave holder by name of Rice and I’m sure that my grandfather never met him.
Albert B. Cleage’s paternal grandparents were Frank and Juda Cleage. They were enslaved on Alexander Cleage’s plantation in Athens, Tennessee. They do not appear in any records after the 1870 census. According to the testimony of Adeline Sherman in the pension case of Katie Cleage, Frank and Juda died before 1890, when she gave testimony. I doubt that they they lived long enough for my grandfather to meet them.

Pearl Reed about 1904
Pearl Doris Reed 1904


My paternal grandmother, Pearl Doris Reed, the youngest of eight children, was born about 1886 in Lebanon, Kentucky. Her mother Annie Allen Reed and her maternal grandmother, Clara Hoskins Green, lived near each other. Clara died after 1880. Annie’s father is listed as Robert Allen. I cannot find a Robert Allen in their area. Pearl probably would have met Clara if she lived until the 1890s.
Annie and her children moved to Indianapolis, Indiana about 1891 when Annie and her oldest son George appear in the city directory. Pearl was about five years old. Her father Buford Avritt was a white doctor who, according to oral history, did not support the family in their time of need. I was warned never to mention his name to my grandmother. I’m sure she never met her paternal grandparents.

You can read about my maternal grandmother and her grandparents at this ink -> when it goes up

Pearl Doris Reed Cleage Animated

Cleages, Kentucky, Photographs, Reeds

My paternal grandmother, Pearl Reed Cleage was born 135 years ago in Lebanon, Kentucky, the youngest of Annie Reed’s 8 children. She married Dr. Albert B. Cleage in Indianapolis, IN in 1910 and they had seven amazing children, including my father, who they raised in Detroit, MI.

She was a small woman who looked sweet as pie and had a backbone of steel. She didn’t begin to run down until she broke her hip in her 80s. In 1982, my grandmother Pearl died of congestive heart failure in Idlewild, Michigan.

I made this animation from the photo below using My Heritage, Deep Nostalgia. It was taken about 1900 when she was 16.

In 2018 I did a series of blog posts based on my grandmother’s letters. You can find the series here Pearl Reed Cleage’s Letters 1903-1905.

My Parent’s Time in Lexington, Kentucky – 1943

Cleages, Detroit, Kentucky, ,
Group portrait of a large gathering of African-Americans in Lexington, KY, 1944.

This post covers the time from my father’s ordination, my parent’s marriage and the few months they spent in Lexington, Kentucky at Chandler Memorial Church. Click the link to learn more about the history of Chandler.

The news items below were transcribed from The Detroit Tribune (Detroit) and Colored Notes, The Sunday Herald-Leader (Lexington, Kentucky). Click the photographs to enlarge or to go to the websites where I found them.

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Thursday February 4, 1943
Albert B. Cleage ordained at Plymouth Congregational Church, Detroit, Michigan, by Rev. Horace White.

Invitation to my father’s Ordination. My personal archives

October 2, 1943
Rev. Albert B. Cleage of Detroit, Mich., will preach at the Chandler Memorial church at 11 o’clock Sunday morning.

Sunday, Nov. 7, 1943
Chandler Memorial church worship and sermon, 11 a. m., preaching by the Rev. A. Rice, Sunday school 12:15; Y. P. meeting at 6 p. m. The annual “harvest-home” ingathering will be held Nov. 21-22 Donations may be forwarded, or call 1356-X. Roger Stewart chairman. The new pastor, the Rev. A. B. Cleage will take charge Nov. 21.

November 14, 1943
Chandler Memorial church, worship and sermon, 11 a. m., preaching by the Rev. A. Rice. Sunday school 12:15. Special program at 3:30 p. m., sponsored by Mrs. Louise Newman. Participants are Prof. W. T. Seals, Miss Hattie Lee, L. D. Mills, William Smith and Prof. W. J. Black. The annual “harvest home” ingathering will be held No. 21-22. Donation may be forwarded or call 1356-X. Roger Stewart, chairman. The new pastor, the Rev. A. B. Cleage of Detroit will take charge next Sunday.

The Detroit Tribune, Saturday November 27, 1943
These young people composed the bridal party of the Graham-Cleage wedding at Plymouth Congregational Church Wednesday evening, Nov. 17. They are, left to right-Mrs. Frank Elkins, Jr, Matron of honor; center, the bride and groom, the Rev. and Mrs. Albert B. Cleage, and Dr. Louis Cleage, best man.

Friday, Nov. 19, 1943
The Rev. A. B. Cleage of Detroit, new pastor of the Chandler Memorial Congregational Christian church, 548 Georgetown Street, will take charge Sunday morning.

Present view of the former Chandler Memorial and parsonage as they appear on Google maps. The barracks like buildings surrounding parsonage and church were built as Lincoln Terrace Housing Projects.
The parsonage with Chandler Memorial church in the background. Formerly this was the teachers’ home (foreground) and Chandler Normal School (background, right) at Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky, as it appeared ca. 1920

Sunday, Nov 21, 1943
Chandler Memorial church, the Rev. Albert B. Cleage, pastor; worship and sermon 11 a. m., preaching by the pastor. Sunday school, 12:15, Young people’s meeting, 6 p.m. Theme of the morning sermon will be “Fruits of the Spirit.” The annual “harvest home” service will open today. All members and friends are urged to be present. Harvest home sale at 8 o’clock Monday night at the church.

Tuesday, Nov 30, 1943
Regular business meeting will be held Wednesday night at Chandler Congregational church, Rev. Albert B. Cleage Jr., minister.

Sunday, Dec 5, 1943
Chandler Memorial Congregational Church, the Rev. Albert B. Cleage Jr., pastor: worship and sermon 11 a.m., theme, “The Messianic Hope;” music by the choir, Miss Pearl Blackburn, director; vocal solo, Prof. W. J. Black; saxophone solo, Prof. William Smith. Sunday school 12.15; Young People’s meeting, 6 p. m. The pastor is preaching a series of pre-Christmas sermons.

Sunday, December 12, 1943
Chandler Memorial Congregational church, Rev. Albert B. Cleage Jr., minister: worship and sermon 11 a. m., theme, “The Sin of Selfishness.” Sunday school, 12:15; Endeavor, 6 p. m. Important announcement by the trustees. All members asked to be present. The pastor is preaching a series of sermons dealing with the birth of Christ and its meaning or the individual.

Sunday, Dec. 26, 1943
The Chandler Memorial church, 548 Georgetown street, The Rev. Albert B. Cleage Jr. will preach his Christmas sermon from the subject, “Star Of Bethlehem.” The choir will render special Christmas music, and Mrs. Louise Newman will be featured as soloist, Sunday school and Christian Endeavor will meet as usual.

December 12, 1943

The Lexington Herald, Dec. 29, 1943

January 2, 1944
Chandler Memorial Congregational church, Rev. A. B. Cleage, minister: worship and sermon, 11 a. m., theme, “The Pentecost of Calamity.” Sunday school, 12:15; Endeavor, 6:30 p. m. The church annual meeting will be held Wednesday night at 8 o’clock.

January 7, 1944

The Lexington Herald, January 7, 1944

January 9, 1944
Chandler Memorial church, Rev. Albert B Cleage, minister; Worship and sermon 11 A. M., theme “Winning the Peace;” Sunday school 12;15; Y. P. meeting at 6:30 p.m. Communion service. Business meeting to elect church treasurer.

January 16, 1944
Chandler Memorial Congregational church, Rev. A. B. Cleage, minister: worship and sermon, 11 a.m., theme, “Bitter Fruit;” Sunday school, 12:15 p. m.; Endeavor 6 p. m.

Saturday, January 29, 1944
The Rev. Albert B. Cleage, who recently resigned as pastor of the Chandler Congregational church, left Wednesday for San Francisco, Calif.

January 29, 1944. The Detroit Tribune
My father was called “Toddy” by family and friends in Detroit and was sometimes called “Toddy” in social items in the Detroit Tribune.

January 29, 1944
Toddy and Doris Cleage are due in from Lexington, KY this week. They have been there since their marriage in November. The young couple found the South’s dyed in the wool policy of segregation and oppression of Negroes most distasteful, and were glad when Toddy received a call to pastor a church in California. So they too will head for the Golden West.

The United States Colored Troops Statue, Washington DC

African-American Genealogy & Slave Ancestry Research, Cleages, Kentucky, Reeds, Tennessee
African American Civil War Memorial, Washington DC
  • Abraham Cleage/Abram Cleag – I have so much new information, waiting to be written up.
  • Charles A. Cleage – I have his pension file and that of his widow, waiting to be written up.
  • George Cleage
  • George Cleage There were two, I have not written up this one yet.
  • Philip Cleage He died of smallpox, but his widow’s pension file is rich in information. Still have to write it up.

All of the men above belonged to the 1st Regiment, United States Colored Heavy Artillery

Organized at Knoxville, Tenn., February 20, 1864. Attached to 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, 23rd Corps, Dept. of Ohio, to February, 1865. 2nd Brigade, 4th Division, District of East Tennessee, Dept. of the Cumberland, to March, 1865. 1st Brigade, 4th Division, District of East Tennessee, to March, 1866.

SERVICE.-Duty at Knoxville, Tenn., till January, 1865. Operations against Wheeler in East Tennessee August 15-25, 1864. Operations in Northern Alabama and East Tennessee January 31-April 24, 1865. Stoneman’s operations from East Tennessee into Southwestern Virginia and Western North Carolina February to April. At Greenville and in District of East Tennessee till March, 1866. Mustered out March 31, 1866.

Meanwhile, in Kentucky, my grandmother Pearl Reed Cleage’s uncle Thomas Allen (formerly Thomas Ray, who later dropped his slave name of “Ray” and took his father’s name of “Allen”), served with the 5h Regiment USCT Calvary.

5th Regiment, United States Colored Cavalry
Overview:
Organized at Camp Nelson, Ky., October 24, 1864. Attached to 1st Division, District of Kentucky, Dept. of Ohio, to February, 1865. Military District of Kentucky and Dept. of Arkansas, to March, 1866.
Service:
Participated in Burbridge’s Raid from Kentucky into Southwestern Virginia September 20-October 17, 1864. Action at Saltsville, Va., October 2. At Lexington, Ky., October 19. Harrodsburg, Ky., October 21. Stoneman’s Raid into Southwestern Virginia December 10-29. Near Marion December 17-18. Capture of Saltsville and destruction of salt works December 20-21. Duty at Ghent, Paducah, LaGrange, Crab Orchard and Camp Nelson till August, 1865, and in the Dept. of Arkansas till March, 1866. Mustered out March 20, 1866.

 

Regiment lost during service 35 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 1 Officer and 151 Enlisted men by disease. Total 187.

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So much new information waiting to be written up, but to see what I have already done, click on the underlined links above.

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Katherine Wiley – Thomas Allen’s Wife

A-Z Challenge 2017, African-American Genealogy & Slave Ancestry Research, Investigations, Kentucky

It was Katie Wiley who started me on the investigation that found Thomas and his pension records. When I found a letter addressed to my grandmother, Pearl Reed c/o Katie Allen, I began searching to find out who she was and discovered so much more than I had looked for.

Sometimes I have a problem finding enough documentation to build a picture of the person I am writing about. This time I had the opposite situation. I will try to be brief.

Kate Wiley was born free to Woody and Sarah (Daniels) Wiley, about 1860 in Virginia. In the record above it says Halifax, in other records it says Fairfax.  She was part of the large family of Deborah Wiley. We find Deborah Wiley and her children described in the Pittsylvania County Virginia, Register of Free Negroes.1807-1865.  I am only sharing Deborah and Woody’s descriptions.

Registration Number # 9, March 18th, 1816,

The said DEBORAH WILEY is a mulatto girl between18 and 19 years of age, about five feet four or five inches, has black bushy hair, aquiline nose, effeminate voice and rather pleasing countenance.

Reg # 406, January 16th, 1847, WOODY WILEY, a free born man of colour, is a yellow man, twenty eight years old the 4th day of October, last, five feet nine inches high.

Reg # 9, Sept 24, 1852, DEBORAH WILEY,a free negro born free who hath been numbered and registered in the Clerks office of the County Court of Pittsylvania is this day again registered.

The said DEBORAH WILEY, is a yellow woman five feet two & 1/2 inches, about fifty seven years old, (copies of Deborah’s reg. & all later Wiley reg. furnished by Court Clerk for move to Ohio).

Deborah and her children moved first to North Carolina and then to Athens County Ohio where they were living by the 1860 census.  A ten year old  Katherine Wiley was living with Deborah Wiley and her son Jackson and his wife. Another son, Israel Wiley lived next door. Katherine’s father, Woody and the rest of his family lived in the same county.  The members of these households were all listed as mulattoes, born in Virginia, except for Deborah who was born in Kentucky and the younger children who were born in Ohio.

Some of the family was involved in the underground railroad – helping escaping slaves make it to freedom.

In 1870 an 18 year old Kate Wiley was working in Washington County Ohio, the next county over from Athens, in what appears to be a rooming house for students With Physician Benjamin F. Hart listed at the top. Kate is listed a domestic.

In 1880, Miss Kate Wiley, colored, appears in the Indianapolis, Indiana City Directory. That same year she married Thomas Allen, who was working as a laborer at that time. Not too long afterwards they bought the house at 2715 N. Capital where they lived for the next 40 years. Kate did not work outside of the home until after her husband died in 1907.

In 1907 and 1908, Kate had to go though hearings to determine if she was eligible to receive a pension based on Thomas’ service in the USC Calvary.  She began to receive a pension in April 1908.

In the 1910 Census 54 widowed Kate was living in the house on N. Capital with her older sister, 68 year old Sarah Wiley. Kate was working as a domestic. She owned the house, which was mortgaged. She had given birth to no children. Sarah was single and did not work outside of the home.

In 1915 Katherine Allen appears in the Springfield Ohio City Directory at 34 W. Clark Street. In August of that year, the mailman returns her pension check with the information that she was dead.  She died on June 9, 1915 of “ptomaine poisoning from eating cane(?)berries”, and her body was returned to Indianapolis to be buried at Crown Hill Cemetery, where her husband Thomas Allen was buried.

Death Certificate for Katie Allen

While investigating the life of Kate Wiley, I found that her family connected with mine in another way. Her older sister, Francis “Fannie” Wiley became the 2nd wife of Robert Augustus Busby. He was also born in Virginia and lived for some years in Athens, Ohio. They later moved to Berrian County Michigan.  James Busby, son of Robert Busby and his first wife, Harriett (Francis’ stepson) married my great grandmother Anna’s (Thomas’ sister) daughter Sarah Reed. Their children were my father and his siblings first cousins.

Here is a link to the post from the 2014 A to Z Challenge where the envelope first appeared, although I did not mention Katy because I could not find anything about her at that time.   L is for Lincoln Hospital

Jacob Roger Raynor – Pastor

A-Z Challenge 2017, African-American Genealogy & Slave Ancestry Research, Investigations, Kentucky

Rev. J. Raynor did not appear as a witness in the pension file. He is the man who married Thomas Allen and his 2nd wife Kate Wiley.

Jacob Roger Raynor was born in Tennessee around 1838. Or 1839 or 1842 or 1849 depending on which census you are looking at.  He was in Indianapolis by 1870.  In the 1870 census, Jacob, his wife Sarah and his mother-in-law made up the household. All were literate and he was attending school. Relationships between household members were not specified in the 1870 census, however Sarah and Jacob both gave the same last name.  His occupation was listed as “cook”. His mother-in-law, Jennie Harper, did laundry and his wife kept house.

In 1873 Jacob R. Raynor and Sarah Bennett were married in Indianapolis. I realize that this is three years after they were living as a married couple. Perhaps they had been married during slavery and decided to have their marriage recorded and legalized.

In the census for 1880, the year that he married Thomas and Katie Wiley, Rev. Raynor lived at 123 4th Street with his wife and mother-in-law. His occupation was given as Minister of Colored Baptist Church. His wife, Sarah, was an artist in a wax works.  His mother-in-law kept house.

Rev. Raynor was a Baptist minister also working as a carpet layer to supplement his income.  I found several small items in the Indianapolis Recorder, an Indianapolis black newspaper.  The items usually mentioned funerals he preformed and Sundays when he preached. The article below gives a brief history of First Baptist Church and mentions Raynor as an early pastor. He continued to preach there through the years. It’s too bad the attached photograph was of a different pastor.

Indianapolis Recorder 1902-01-11

“The New Bethel Baptist church was organized in the year of 1875 in a house on Tinker street, known now as Sixteen No. 1209, the home of William Jackson. During the summer of that year they were successful in erecting a small house at the present location. Elder J. R. Raynor was pastor and superintended the work with much success. In the fall of 1883 Elder J. F Franklin was called but stayed but a short time. In the spring of 1884, the present pastor Elder N. A Seymour was called to lead them. He preached with telling effect and in the spring of 1885 the church called an ordination council and after  a careful   examination Elder Seymour was found eligible for ordination and on August 12 1885, he was selected for the work. With a few- faithful friends, a strong confidence and will power, he went into the work, took Christ for his council and the Holy Spirit to lead him. Rev. Seymour has been successful in paying the original debt and bought the adjoining lot, which gave them a space of 170 ft. deep and 65 ft.  wide. A new church has been erected on this site, that has a seating capacity of 800, at the cost of $5,700 and is second to none in the  city. The first services in the new church tomorrow. See program in church notes. MC”

In the 1900 census Raynor is living alone but there is no information about him. All the lines are blank. I am not sure what this means – had his wife and mother-in-law left or died? Was he not home when the census enumerator called and none of the neighbors knew more than his name?

By 1910 he was listed as widowed.  He lived alone, rented his house and occupation was minister in a Baptist church.  Items stopped appearing in the Indianapolis Recorder after 1915 and he does not appear in the 1920 census. Although I did not find a death record, I believe that he died around 1916, in his mid seventies.