After working on the collage I uploaded yesterday for Labor Day, I kept thinking about the work that family members had done over the generations. Here is a chart showing 7 generations of workers from my great-great-great-grandmother to my children. My direct line is highlighted in yellow. The women with children combined whatever else they did with cooking, cleaning, washing clothes and raising the children. The first generations started their work life as slaves in Alabama.
7 generations of my maternal line and the work they did.
I made the chart using Microsoft Word. That resulted in a very crowded chart. I then imported it into Photoshop where I cut and pasted and moved things around and added the highlights. I later thought I should have added places of birth and death, but I didn’t. Next time. The paternal side chart is available HERE.
I found my greatgrandmother’s autograph/memory book in an envelope in a box where my mother saved little notebooks, wallets etc. The first part of the book, including the cover have vanished. Going by what is left I think my greatgrandmother started the book when she was 19 years old. Transcribed entries numbering from top left down column, over to second column, etc.
Various pages from Jennie’s Memory Book
Miss Virginia Allen Montgomery Ala. Mom passed aged 84 Mar 28 1954
Dear Jennie When I am far away From you believe Me to be your Dear brother Dock Allen Montgomery Ala Mar 14th/86 Jennie’s brother, Dock, was born in 1862, four years before Jennie. He worked as an errand boy and a barber – he drowned in 1891 on Aug. 30 Trying to “walk the moonlight path.”
Miss Jennie May you live long and prosper in this life And your last days be the best Is my prayer. Yours Respectfully, J W Saffold Montg Ala Jan 7th 1886
The secret of happiness, is love Your true friend N.C. Lambert Montgomery, Ala. Sept. 29, 1884
Dearest Janie I wish you would Remember they creator In the days of thy youth when the evil Days are not nor the years draw nigh When thou may sayeth I have no Pleasure in them M.A. McCall Montgomery Ala/Jan/16th 1885
May flowers cheer your Path way through Life may life be a comfort unto you Compliments from R. Allen R. was Jennie’s brother Rance.
Dear Jennie Remember me as your loving little Daughter when I am gone to come No more Compliments of Fannie M. Turner Montgomery Ala Mar 16 – 1897 – Age 11
It’s better to trust and be deceived and reapthat trust, and that deceiving. Than doubt the heart, that if believed Would bless your heart, with true believing! Obediently V.B. Harris June 24th 1884
Grandmother Turners “Memory” Book – Note the entries written by DockAllen and Dock Allen, Jr. – they are probably the same – grandmother’s brother This was added years later by my mother, Jennie’s granddaughter.
Dear Jennie There are few friends in this wild world that love is fond and true. But Jennie when you count them over, place me among the few J. M. Nesbitt Montgomery, Ala
To Miss V. Allen I hope that your future live may be such, As to permit you to be worthy of A welcome in heaven. Your well wisher Through life Montgomery April 4/22 Ala ThMC Logan
