I OFTEN WONDER

Granddaddy Ike and Me

I OFTEN WONDER.....about 1870, just 7 years after the end of Slavery. It's the 1st census most Black Folk are on to be counted as citizens. I've been researching my family, both sides of me for 16 years now. I feel like I only have a smidgen of it done. The enormous task is a Masterpiece of our lives that never is completely done. It's all done with a labor of love. I did this piece a while ago. I started it on facebook as a "NoTe To MySeLf" before I started blogging so I transferred it over here to my blog where it should be.

My Blog is my "Living Document".

As I stare at the Alabama census of 1870 Bullock County that my Grandaddy Ike first appears, he is 17 years old born on February 14th, 1853 according to his official death certificate. He is still living at home with his sisters Rosanna, Isabella and brother's along with his Parents: William and Minty.

Grandaddy Ike is on Line 24

Then I take a glance, I look at Pennsylvania's 1870 census and see my Grandmother Rosanna Harriet, same age as Granddaddy Ike of 17 and living with her Parents. She is always FREE!

Grandma Rosanna is on Line 21

They were both 17 in 1870 and Grandma Rosanna was born on April 3rd, 1853. 115 years later, her Granddaughter True would be born on that same day.
The contrast in 2 lives so far apart, yet! Oh so close through one Child.

I OFTEN WONDER..... if Grandaddy Ike and Grandma Rosanna would meet just half way somewhere? Being kind and respectful of one another and just having a talk about the days to come and the future and how their lives were just a few short years ago?  

I know he wouldn't be able to come upon a White woman and talk. He would have to bow and remove his hat and hang his head low not making eye contact without permission in reality, and there would still be a chaperon or White man accompanying her.

Just for a moment in time, away from all the ugliness, shame, a meeting of respect between two lives "Crossing Paths".

 I want to imagine what the conversation would be like? Just supposing in my mind.....Would she know all of what Grandaddy Ike had to go through being under a White man's rule and control like animal chattel just for the color of his skin? That he had a price on his life? Probably no more than 1,000 dollars? Being mistreated and to go through it all so his children's children's children's wouldn't have to go through?

It's 2014 and that Question is still trying to be Answered.

I know he would be considerate and thoughtful of her being a Woman. Having just about no rights herself, with the customs of the day of staying in her place. To be seen and not heard. Being barefoot and pregnant and the other half of her life always taking care of children. I hope to learn more if she was able to make  her Dreams and Hopes come to fruition?

Grandma Rosanna Harriet (Barrick) with Grandpa Levi Alexander Watson 

Granddaddy Ike passed away in 1937 and Grandma Rosanna died in 1927. He had 23children and she had 16.

I would descend from Grandaddy Ike's daughter Eddie Lee, and from Grandma Rosanna's daughter. Cora Agnes Rebecca.

I OFTEN WONDER..... if Grandaddy Ike and Grandma Rosanna met together this would be my "Coming To The Table" moment...just for ME! Talking about the days gone by and what is to come? Would they smile awhile and talk over some tea and sweet cakes?

That one day, one when all this hurt and shame is over and they are no longer to be here to share and talk and to think on a "True" moment that they have "Shared", that Grandbaby True?

In the End that is what they have in Common! THEIR common bond! Not so many differences at all. That the baby in 1968 would tie them all together one day, with the realization that all their hopes and dreams are on that "Shared" baby. It's not the Color of our skin, but the Blood that runs through Her veins.

Is from "Slave" to "Free White Woman".

I OFTEN WONDER.....

Published by Upfront with NGS

Published: 28 August 2013 

Upfront with NGS: 

The Blog for Genealogical Society

Queen Daniel Miles "SKILLET and The FLOUR SIFTER"

I was so ELATED Today! I'm always renewing my Strength through the smallest things in Life to Blog.

I'm part of a Tribe! The AAGSAR Tribe African American Genealogy & Slave Research

We are a small closed Group on Facebook working on 3 Objectives:

1. Research Skill Development
2. Technology Integration
3. Migrating Family Research Online

Today we got mentioned by: Diane Haddad at Family Tree Magazine

You can read more about us from "Our Principal"  Luckie Daniels at:  Our Georgia Roots
with a quote from my Dear Friend and Tribe Member Kristin she blogs at Finding Eliza


It got me Hyped and Ready about our Blog Fest on January 5th, 2014! at 11:59pm.

 I was doing the "Happy Dance" and "Tooting" my Horn! I was so Happy she mentioned our Blog's along with so many of my Tribe Members who get me through the day. 

It was TRULY wonderful and I Appreciated so Much!

We also have a "Brick Slayer Challenge" at AAGSAR! We are trying to knock some of our Walls  down. For me, some of them I have put up by not thinking methodically and having a plan. Asking myself questions to get around the Wall.

It got me to thinking of a picture I posted a year ago!  So For 2014,  when I glance over from my sink.  I see that black skillet from my Grandma Queen and Mom's flour sifter, as she would say "go down there and get my "Siffa"!

I'm gonna use that as my muse and metaphor to get me through those days. I'm gonna "SIFT" through a lot of records and books. I'm gonna use that skillet to  KNOCK those Brick Walls in my mind, down with a Mighty blow!  That's what I'm gonna Do!

Grandma Queen's skillet and Mom's Sifter

Great Grandma Queen Daniel was born on a Saturday. January 16, 1892. Her nickname was "Lil Bit". She was small but had a STRONG presence. Her Daughter which is my Mom and Grandmom at the same time,was named "Tinnie". In the South it's said: Tiny.  She is my Father's Grandmother.

So LiL Bit had a Tiny (Tinnie), another Story.

I knew my Grandma Queen. I remember her shuffling around in shoes that look like they were Danish.  She was old when I was a little girl. I never said much to her. Few words were spoken between us. I spoke with Poppa Sam Miles who is her Husband and followed him around everywhere like a shadow. They were married May 11th, 1911. They had 10 children together.
Her Father was George Daniel and her Mother was Elizabeth "Lizzie"  Jordan. They say she was a BlackFoot Indian, but she looks African to ME! Mom called her a "Pistol Witch".  I'll talk on that later!

My 2nd Great Grandma Elizabeth "Lizzie" Jordan Daniel

From what I can tell they all were born in Alabama. Grandma Queen is buried at Antioch Baptist Church, in Bullock County, Alabama, she passed away on August 11, 1977.

Grandma Queen's Obit

 I was heartbroken and so was my Mom Tinnie. I didn't feel like that again until Mom passed November 11, 2008.  I knew her pain that day.

So every time I look over and see that Ol'Swifter and Black Skillet, I'm reminded of what I got to do!
Here's to BRICKSLAYING! and Grandma Queen and her Daughter Tinnie for reminding me to do what "I gotta Do"! Ancestor Work!

My WomenFolk ・ Mary Haynes ・Mary Henry ・Berta Hatcher

 Womenfolk

Thank You! for stopping by again and wanting to read about the "Womenfolk"  in my Life married to Granddaddy Ike Ivery.

These Women are always on mind. 

Mary Haynes     
Mary Henry  
Berta Hatcher

We have such a hard time finding our WomenFolks maiden names.

 I was fortunate after slavery my family stayed intact in Midway, Alabama.    

    

Bullock County, Alabama 1895 Map

        

I'm also Mourning them at times as well as Celebrating their lives. 

 I think of the "Inner Sisterhood" of the 3 WomenFolk. 

Granddaddy Ike got married 3 times. I think on how my two other Grandmother's took on my Grandma Mary Haynes children.

 I try to imagine the complexities and the love it took for 2 Women to take on previous wives children's? They kept it going.

I think about how Grandma Berta Hatcher came in the family and was welcomed for sure! Her Descendants adored and had much reverence for her.

 She carried on the Legacy Granddaddy Ike was to leave behind. Had 13 children with him and cared for his 10 kids from previously being widowed twice before and managed to look after them long after Granddaddy Ike left this World. 

She was the Cornerstone for keeping us all together after Mary Haynes, Mary Henry and Granddaddy Ike passed on. From 1937 she had to do the raising alone.

There was no separating the children up. Everyone took up their part and helped Berta keep it going. None were treated any different from the others. The older ones helped with the younger ones. 
In fact I know some were off married, some were still living at home and Granddaddy Ike was having children when his children were having children! 

"Circle of Life" continues on...

8 Generations from Margaret, Mary's Mother to My Granddaughter. I'm 6th in line. Margaret Mary Eddie JE JEjr Me Eddie and Jai


Mary Haynes:   1st Wife History:   This is my LINE! The least I have on. I have not found any Descendants from her siblings or Parents yet. We do have DNA results from 3 of her 5 children. So we are ready for that! 
Grandma Mary Haynes! She was born in Alabama according to the 1870 census in 1855. Her father was John Haynes and her mother was Margaret. The year of 1875 when she was 20 she married my Granddaddy Ike, she would be the 1st of his 3 wives. 

She was 39 when she passed shortly after her youngest son Abe was born. She had 8 children with Ike Ivery. 2 of them are missing or passed away, but they are clearly reported as Bascom aged 4 and Isaiah aged 2. 
After 1880 they aren't mentioned anymore and Martha Tarver age 19 is also living with them.

1880 Census with Mary Haynes and Ike Ivery 

After 1880 sons Bascom and Isaiah of hers aren't listed. The following children are who are KNOWN as her children and to my Family are listed below.

Obie ~ John 1877 ~ Prophet 1878 ~ Lela B 1880, she is 6months old ~Ms. Eddie Lee: My GRANNY! 1886 ~ Abe 1887.

I'll do a whole blog on Grandma Eddie!

There was a 5-year gap between Lela B and Grandma Eddie possibly? I don't know what happened or what was going on?



Mary Henry:    2nd Wife History.    What I have researched on Mary Henry. She was the born in 1856 during Slavery. Her Parents were Dock Henry(1828-1905) dates were provided from his Estate File. Her Mother was Mariah Floyd (1826-1900). Mary's Mother passed away some time near her Daughter Mary's death.
 1900 census Dock says he is a Widow. Mariah Floyd's Parents were Ransome Floyd born 1800 and Phoebe, they were Mary Henry's Grandparents on her Mother's side.   Mary had 10 siblings! 

Her known 4 children to Ike Ivery were: Annie ・ Dock ・ Will 1890 ・ Charles 1892

Through this line is where I found MjIvory on Facebook he is kin through this line through Mary's brother Joseph. Bible names.

 Also I got information from my Mentor that Senator Caroline Moseley Braun,1st African American Woman from Illinois was related to this line also through Mary Henry's brother, Charles. I hope we can be introduced to  talk and compare notes one day.

Two branches of Mary Henry's line through her siblings. Joseph and Charles.
Hopefully she'll find me and we can share notes and DNA. Which is another whole "Blog Post" I'll have to start. I also wonder if both Mary's born around the same years knew each other in Midway? 

 I have obtained good gems on the Henry's from the Courthouse in Bullock County, Alabama. Union Springs. 

1880 Census for Mary Henry

                     

Berta Hatcher:    3rd Wife History.    Berta was the Daughter of Charles Hatcher and Margaret Lowery? /Collier born 1852. Her Parents were married November 21st, 1868. Colored Marriage Records Books, page 216. Judge W. H. Black. Her Mother passed and he married Estelle. Grandma Berta was born in 1877 in Alabama. After Freedom! She had 12 siblings. She passed away in 1952. She had 13 children with Granddaddy Ike. So many things she saw, things she did, things she didn't see that came to pass. She lived a long, fruitful life. 

Grandma Berta Hatcher Ivery

This is where I found my cousin Dot! She has much research on the Hatcher's. Cousin Dot falls under Grandma Berta's sister Lizzie. From November when Dot initially contacted me. It took me until March regretfully to contact Dot. 
I was so caught up in my Documentary. I hadn't even checked my messages. I prayed she would remember me and be willing to share.

Ever since we been chatting on the phone, emailing and encouraging one another and sharing research.

 My Cousin James who is son to Berta's Daughter Bessie. I was so excited to find a new branch that James went with his brother Alvin to meet Dot. I wish you all could feel the expressions of joy, I felt when they went to meet Dot and her Father. They enjoyed each other and had great stories of their Reunion to tell me. I cherish that......

They took pictures for me because I couldn't be there. I will always be indebted to James. Every time I put the "Call Out" for help. James has steadily been there for me. As many other's in the family.       


   

My Cousin's (Left) Alvin and James Goodloe and Dot with her Dad (meeting for the 1st time).

Cousin Bea in my Documentary she could talk about Grandma Berta good! Cousin Bea is Granddaughter through Berta's Daughter Caroline. She would tell us of the time Grandma Berta would say, If Ike was here he'd go get those peas for me. If you go and get those peas I can pick those peas while ya'll doing other's things. She had a lot of Spirit. Some of the Elder grandchildren can remember Grandma Berta. There is no one left to remember the Mary's.

 We let the documents speak for them now.

                        

Grandma Berta Resting at Mt. Coney Cemetery

These Womenfolk singing below always help take me to the Spirit of My Ancestors. They give me a solace and peace that's comforting. I love to listen to them while I'm thinking of my Ancestors.

   I will Dedicate this song to my Grandma's.
           All 3 of Them   called "Breaths".
                        Mary Haynes ~   Mary Henry ~ Berta Hatcher
                                  

                                                                        

I love how their lives unfolded. How the 3 Womenfolk combined had 23 children. Their raising of the children. All the values they passed on. The traditions. They lived on through all the children. We keep that bond that they shared through us today.

I know they are sitting around on some stools, laughing and exchanging stories. Thanking each other for raising and loving each other's kids. Thanking Grandma Berta for keeping them all under her fold and being that Mighty Fist!

You have Five Fingers and you can spread them out and look at them in all kinds of different directions, but when you Draw all your Fingers together into a ball and make a Mighty Fist! That Fist is Strong! all things are mighty Powerful as One!

 That's the Ivery's.......That's the Ivery's!

"Ike Ivery" Family Reunion Song - Whisper A Prayer

  

           







Whisper a Prayer in the Mornin'!

       Whisper a Prayer at Noon.....

       Whisper a Prayer in the Evening 

            Just to keep your heart in Tune....

Cuttin' Aaron Sellers January 8th,1918~November 2nd, 2008

My Cousin Aaron Sellers! Sang this song along with our Family a long time ago! Every since then we been singing this Song with him in the Lead at every Ike Ivery Family Reunion on Banquet Night. Even tho' Cousin Aaron is gone now, we still continue this Tradition on. He left a long and mighty Legacy for the Ivery's. He will be remembered the most from a lot of us for this Song. So we now Proudly boast this as our "Family Song!". 

Whenever my heart is full or I have to take my mind and spirit to another place to get through some of my research, Whisper a Prayer is there to soothe the Soul . It's a cloak, a quilt, a afghan to our Souls. It brings out the "Bent" in us and keeps us Safe. Singing a little bit of this Song will make your day and Soul go little bit better. 

We Ivery's are Grateful. We don't sing  quite like Cuttin' Aaron does , but it's close. I'll have to find a recording of the Ivery's singing. I hope to update later on that.

Granddaddy Ike Ivery and his 3 Wives

Let me start by saying and referencing to a old post that will help you understand me and My Mentor the Old Guard! 

I always feel when I post about the African American side of me Mr. Spratlan is on call; walking and guiding me with my stories.Along with the Ancestors.

Overlooking.......  

 

Me and Mr.Spratlan

Me and Mr. Spratlan till this day, he plays a pivotal role in my research. One day I will post some correspondence between the both of us to show how our relationship has developed over the years.

 So I dedicate this to him, for getting me started in this quest when I was armed with  scattered pieces of information from my family. He got the ball rolling! And thus began our relationship.

*reference or citation below:

1870.......*Granddaddy Ike Ivery was 17. He was looking towards his future and ready to start his own family. Around the age of 22 or 24 he married Ms.Mary Haynes on 13 January 1875 on Mr. Finney's plantation, officiated by Andrew Harris. His 1st Wife.

Ike Ivery and Mary Haynes #1

In all Granddaddy Ike’s years of living he was married for 60 years out of his 84 years of living. Ike and Mary Haynes his first wife were married for 12 years, she passed away after her last child Abe in 1888. Out of this union 5 children were born. 

 She passed. Her *death is unknown.Just my theory she died during or after childbirth. Give or take a year or two Ike was a Widower at the age of 35.

He was diligently working his farm in Midway Alabama. Keeping his family strong he was blessed to meet another certain,determined young lady at the age of 30. She would be his 2nd wife.  Ms. Mary Henry. Their marriage license states; got married at church on 2 January, 1889 by S. W. Shields.

Ike Ivery and Mary Henry #2

At that time in early 1900’s, Mary Henry might have been considered old maid or having no prospects, Ike made himself presentable to be introduced to Mary Henry in the proper way, being that her father Dock Henry was so prominent as a farmer in the community with lots of land.

I'll talk more about Dock Henry in another post with the 3 wives, their Parents and introduce you to his 23 children. 

Now Mary Henry Ivery and Ike were thriving they were blessed to have 4 more children together giving them a total of 10 children by at least till 1895. 

They were together for 14 years.

 Her *death is unknown to me as of this date.Maybe illness until I can find out. Alabama didn't start recording deaths until *1908.

During the 2 years after Mary Henry passed away, Ike met his 3rd wife.

Ms.Berta Hatcher!

Mrs. Berta Hatcher Ivery

 They were married in Aberfoil on 23 December, 1897 by Rev. R. H. Harris.

Berta & Ike's Marriage License #3

 She was 20 years old. Ike had lost 2 wives and had 11 children. Ike and Berta were married 40 years had 12 children together, making a total of 23. 4 children are lost or misrepresented that were recorded on census’s whom we haven’t been able to locate or find anymore documents on. Grandma Berta passed away April 2nd, 1956
Berta was the wife who he got to spend the longest season with until Ike's death in the spring of 1937.Granddaddy Ike "laid in state" in the church while bells toiled. It was the church he helped built. Mt.Coney Missionary Baptist Church which is still up and running.

Mother Berta Hatcher Ivery

I wanted to introduce you to Ike's 3 Wives.

 I am a Descendant of the 1st wife. Mary Haynes she is my GreatGreatGrandmother, out of their 5 children I come from her Daughter: Mrs. Eddie Lee Rosanna Louisiana Savannah Ivery Lewis! 

I look forward to future posts so you can get to know the rest of Granddaddy Ike's family.Don't worry about remembering, I'll give you references to remind you were we left off. You can always write me a "NOTE" or ask question!

Granny Eddie Lee Ivery Lewis

Granddaddy Ike was strict when it came to family life and his faith. All 23 children raised their kids together as they were. Hopefully I'll be able to break it down to you and explain every one's place in this family. I just want to put them in place with their Mother and their Parents.  We have over 300 people at our Ike Ivery Family Reunions.

 I can tell who goes to who even if you just give me one word. I can point which branch you belong to you. It's a joy and I try to meet 5 new people and make my rounds to as many family members as I can and as possible to let them know I'm here for our Ancestors stories and it can be entrusted in me.

Ivery's in Atlanta 2009

 Without my Family it's always impossible to do. They make my work easy. They are cooperative when I need their help. 

I let them know without them none of this is possible, that's why working together we can save our OWN stories. No one has to tell our story like we can for Us.

As my Tribe member Luckie Daniel of Our Georgia Roots would say:

She quoted a passage that spoke to my Family......"You can tell a Tree by the Fruit it bears". That's us! The Ivery's!

* Source Citation: Year: 1870; Census Place: Ridgely, Bullock, Alabama; Roll: M593_4; Page: 271B; Image: 545; Family History Library Film: 545503.

* http://www.archives.alabama.gov/referenc/vital.html