As I started this journey into the past I wanted to know more about my great 
grandparents? like who where their parents and grandparents? Who were their 
aunts and uncles?  

                            
Since starting this journey I have spent too many hours to count in the 
various genealogy libraries, and on the internet searching through countless 
census reports from between 1860 - 1930.  (Even as you read this I am still 
doing research).  I have spent countless hours on the phone talking to aunts, 
uncles, cousins I grew up with and new found cousin recording the information 
they were willing to share.  


Because until after the American Civil War black slaves were not considered 
citizens unless they were free, they were not counted in the census before 
1870.  When I first looked at the census reports I didn?t fully understand the 
information that I was seeing.  But as I learned how to read the census, I 
started seeing pieces of a puzzle.   So as I started to put the pieces 
together, they started forming a story. One that I will share with you now:


Even though most of our family history is based in Mississippi.  Our roots 
actually began in Kentucky and Virginia.   Harry Wells was born in Kentucky in 
1801 and his wife Lydia Ann was born in 1818 in Virginia.  Both of them were 
born in the height of slavery.  We know that by 1832, they were in Mississippi 
and had their first of four children, Anthony Wells.  While slaves in 
Mississippi they lived on the Whitney Plantation in Claiborne County.


On the 23rd of August 1870 Mr. Woods visited the home of Anthony and Amanda 
Wells.  He recorded the following information:  There are three families 
living together:  The oldest son Anthony and his family; Anthony?s parents 
Harry and Lydia Ann Wells; as well as Anthony?s younger brother Charles and 
his family.  


Anthony and his wife Amanda, both 38 years old, have five children: Caroline 
(age 20), Richard (age 16), Harry (age 14), LeAnna (age 12), and Anthony Jr. 
(age 2). We can see Anthony and his children are black and born in 
Mississippi.  His wife Amanda listed as Mulatto, which means she is mixed 
black and white or mixed black and Indian, was born in Kentucky. We also see 
Anthony worked as a farmer.  The land that he lived/worked on is valued at 
$1000 while his personal property is valued at $400.  Amanda worked as a 
housekeeper while their children Caroline, Richard, and Harry worked as 
laborers, either in the fields or in town. 


Harry Wells is 69 years old and his wife Lydia Ann Wells is 50 years old and 
they both are black.  Harry was born in Kentucky while Lydia Ann was born in 
Virginia.  Harry Wells? personal property is valued at $100.Charles Wells is 
27 years of age and his wife Louisa is 23 years old. Charles and Louisa have 
four children:  Lucinda (age 8), Lem (age 7), Amanda (aka Manda, age 5), 
Martha (age 1).  We also see the entire family was born in Mississippi. 

 

A couple of days later, Mr. Woods visits the home Malinda Guy.  In this home 
Mr. Woods finds one family having a single mother as the head of the 
household.   (This most likely means that Malinda's husband, Katie?s father 
was most like died). Malinda Guy is 36 years old.   She has seven children: 
Donald (age 16), Elias (age 13), Katie (age 11), John (age 8), William (age 
6), Rachel (age 5), and Henry (age 3). Her three oldest children work as 
laborers, most likely in the fields or as sharecroppers Malinda. 
   
 
?To Harry & Lydia Ann Wells, Anthony & Amanda Wells,
Richard Wells Sr. & Katie (Guy) Wells?
 Without you, none of us would be possible,

You endured many hardships, yet you raise your children with love,
It was through your strength, of survival that we all live today,

We may have not met you, but you live in us always.

 
Always & Forever 
Shelia M. Moore-Farmer