Roots Disentangled

Frank and Lillie (Colna) Rentfrow were the 4th great grandparents of my child. It appears in November of 1906 Lillie left her husband, refusing to return. Was she fleeing emotional or physical abuse? Unknown. In December, Frank, after filing for divorce, and having his insurance policy beneficiary changed from his wife to their kids, died in an ‘accident’ at work. He was found hanging from belting in a water tower shaft, neck broken. It could have been an accident that coincidentally occurred the day after being notified the insurance beneficiary was changed.  In the 1910 census Lillie is remarried with all three children.  Below is a transcription of the two newspaper articles I base the above on. I've included an image of the second article to show some of the transcription is my best guess of what is missing from the online image. Mattoon Morning Star Mattoon, Illinois 11 Nov 1906, Sun   Page 1 MOTHER PARTS WITH CHILDREN RATHER THAN RETURN HOME “You can take my children, bu

The below obituary appeared in The Ottawa Herald, Ottawa Kansas, May 9, 1917, page 1. Emily is the third great grandmother of my child. MRS. EMILY WAKEFIELD DEAD  Colored Woman Was Born in Kentucky in Ante-bellum Days.   Mrs. Emily Wakefield, 72 years old, colored, died yesterday afternoon at her home, 128 Sycamore street. Paralysis caused her death. Mrs. Wakefield was the widow of the late Jasper Wakefield who fought in the Civil War. They were married fifty-six years ago. Mrs. Wakefield was born in slavery in Louisville, Ky., in 1845. Her husband died February 16, 1909. The Wakefields came here thirty-five years ago.  Five sons, William, Chat and Chris Wakefield of Ottawa, Joe Wakefield of Kansas City and Fred Wakefield, address unknown, and one daughter, Mrs. Laura McNear of Ottawa survive. There are three brothers, George, William and Stephen Smith in Louisville, Ky.  The  funeral will be field at the Third Baptist church, Second and Poplar streets at 3:30 o'clock Friday afte

In 1915 Walter L Bibb and Ella Ren(t)frow married in Dunklin, Missouri. They are my child's third great grandparents. Walter was over the age of 21, and Ella was under the age of 18. The marriage license states: "Affidavit in file to the age of Walter Bibb, and the mother present and giving consent to the marriage of the girl." The marriage license was filled out on Sept 29, and the marriage occurred in October. I believe October 3rd. Further research indicates Walter was 22, and Ella 15. Ancestry doesn't have the image of the marriage document, but the Arkansas Marriage Index suggests Walter and Ella renewed their vows the day after their 9-year anniversary. Oct 4, 1924. Other records seem to confirm that this is the same couple. Their first child was born in September of 1916, so it doesn't appear that the 1915 wedding was forced by a pregnancy, unless that pregnancy ended prematurely. It is disturbing to read of a marriage between a 22-year-old

Excerpts from " Bandyville School History " Williamson County Illinois Historical Society Bandyville School, district 24, in section 28 of Herrin Township on the county paved road between Herrin and Johnston City, took its name from the pioneer Bandy family. Perrine and John W. Bandy made their land entries in 1836 on parts of section 20. Cynthia Bandy made an entry in 1840 to complete the family holdings in the section. William P. Bandy was a soldier in Captain John M. Cunning- ham’s company during the Mexican war.  Perrine Bandy was a school trustee until his death in 1838. With Dudley Duncan and Jesse Spiller he supervised section 16 of Herrin Township, the school lands granted by congress. Manuel Hunter, whose daughter lived on Bear Creek, succeeded Mr. Bandy in this office. School was first held about 1868 in a log house one-quarter mile north and east of the present site. [...] Wilshire and Wesley Bandy represented their family in the neighborhood during the s

Joseph was born into slavery in 1837, most likely in the household of Creed Haskins (1773-1851), son of Robert Haskins (1732-1804) James was born into slavery in 1839, also most likely in the household of Creed Haskins. Whether or not they were genetically brothers is pretty irrelevant, as if they grew up as slaves in the same household, they probably considered themselves brothers. Silvy (1795-after 1870) - Could have been born into slavery in either Creed Haskins or Robert Haskins households. (Or elsewhere) Whether or not she was genetically related to Joseph or James, she was likely a maternal figure for both of them. In 1851, when Creed Haskins died, Joseph (age 14) became the property of Creed's daughter, Judith Wakefield. It is possible at that time James (age 12) became the property of Creed's son, Robert (1813-1872) - or a different Haskins family. Silvy (age 56) also likely became the property of another Haskins. Silvy and James may have remained in the same

Here is the 1870 census for my child's 3rd great grandfather, Joseph Wakefield. Since I have uncovered that his prior slave-owner Judith Wakefield inherited him from her father, Creed Haskins, this helps in identifying this as indeed the same Joseph Wakefield. Joseph Wakefield, age 32, Black Mariah Wakefield, age 22, Mulatto Kit Wakefield, age 8, Mulatto Silvy Haskins, age 75, Black James Haskins, age 30, Black Ruth Haskins, age 22, Black Eliza Haskins, age 8/12, Black They don't appear to identify relationships in the 1870 census. One might guess that Joseph and Mariah are the parents of Kit, and that James and Ruth are the parents of Eliza. The only thing we can say for certain about Silvy is that she is 43 years older than Joseph, and 45 years older than James. It is likely she was another slave in the Haskins households. Whether she is related to Joseph or James is indeterminable. She could be a mother, grandmother, any other female relative, or complet

The document to the right appeared in the Civil War Record file, along with the Claim for Compensation mentioned in the previous post. The Adjutant General of Kentucky certified the information about Joseph Wakefield's service. Headquarters Kentucky Volunteers, Adjutant General's Office Frankfort, Dec 24th, 1866 I hereby certify that it appears from the U.S. Muster Rolls on file in the office that Joe Wakefield was enrolled on the 21st day of April, 1865 at Lebanon Ky by Capt. J.M. Fidler and mustered into the U.S. service on the 22d day of April, 1865 at Lebanon Ky by Capt J M Fidler to serve three years. Said Joe Wakefield is described as follows: Age 26 years, eyes black, hair black, complexion black, height 6 feet - inches. It further appears from the Rolls that Joe Wakefield owed service to Juda Wakefield, was credited (?) to Green County, Ky, and was assigned to Co. 'F', 125th Regiment U.S. C. Inf. In Testimony Whereof, I have hereonto set my hand, and af