Roots Disentangled

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...

I found the Civil War Service Record for my child's third great grandfather, Joseph Wakefield, on Fold3. An escaped slave who served in the US Colored Troops, his owner filed a Claim for Compensation for her lost services. She indicated that she inherited her slave from her father, and provides a name. I am hopeful I can find a copy of her father's estate. There is a chance one or both of Joseph's parents might also have been mentioned. CLAIM OF Judith Wakefield FOR THE COMPENSATION OF SLAVE NAMED Joseph Wakefield I, Judith Wakefield, a loyal citizen, and a resident of The County of Green, State of Kentucky, hereby claim compensation under the provisions of Section 24, act approved February 21, 1864, and section 2, act approved July 28, 1866, for my slave Joseph Wakefield, enlisted 22nd of April 1865 at Lebanon, Ky, by Capt J. M. Fidler, in the 125th regiment U.S. Colored Troops, Co. F, certificate of which enlistment, and a descriptive list, as required, acco...

With the Kentucky ancestry of my adopted child (including both the Boones and the Wakefields), I have been doing some research on the state recently. Bill West at WestInNewEngland  has an Annual Poetry Challenge 1. Find a poem by a poet, famous or obscure, about the region one of your ancestors lived in. It can be about an historical event, a legend, a person, or even about some place (like a river)or a local animal. It can even be a poem you or one of your ancestors have written. 0r, if you prefer, post the lyrics of a song or a link to a video of someone performing the song.  2. Post the poem or song to your blog (remembering to cite the source where you found it.). If you wish to enter an older post, you may as long as it has not appeared here in an earlier Poetry Challenge. 3.Tell us how the subject of the poem or song relates to your ancestor's home or life, or the area of the country where they lived. After reading his post, I tried to find some Kentucky p...