African-American roots in Fayette

A few weeks ago, I mentioned that I'd like to hear from those who were doing African-American research since it poses so many unusual problems. For those of you who may have been hiding under a rock, I will explain a little about some of the difficulties these folks are facing in finding their ancestors.

First, if they were slaves, they had no surnames. Brought here from Africa by slave ships as early as the 1600s, slaves were given only a first name by their owners.

Second, families were sometimes split up as members were "sold"? to other plantation owners. Also, families were split up when their members were bequeathed in wills. So, you may have had a father, mother, and children living with many different owners.

Third, when the slaves were freed, those who had no surnames often just adopted the name of their owners. Think about that for a minute. It means that members of the same family actually may have had several different surnames and also may have been scattered to the four winds.

Now, faced with that, try to find your ancestors. Not an easy task, huh?

I was thrilled when I received an e-mail from Susan Anderson in Michigan who is seeking her husband's African-American ancestors in Fayette and Henry counties. Susan has been at this only about 6 months, but has done an amazing amount of research. She would like to hear from any families with the surnames of Gay, Harp, Fife and Turnipseed, in hopes of finding her husband's ancestors. Susan writes:

" ... My husband's great-grandfather was Robert Harp Jr., born in 1865, quite possibly in Fayette Co. His parents were Robert Harp Sr, and Matilda Gay(?). In the 1880 census, Robert Harp Sr., has 'disappeared', Matilda has remarried to a Harkness, and Robert Harp., Jr is living with Reuben and Eadie Gay. Robert Jr.'s relationship to Reuben, is listed as 'grandson.' I am seeking info on Robert Harp Sr., (b. abt. 1829-30?) and Matilda Gay(?), and whether or not they were slaves.

"In the 1870 Census, Reuben and Eadie Gay were living in Fayette Co. only four houses down from two "white' Gay families ... Wiley Jones Gay, and William H. Gay. Their children were: Elijah, 14; Henry, 11; Charlotte, 10; Roxa, 4; and 'infant,' 4 mos., male. I believe this infant was Reuben. Next-door to Reuben and Eadie, was another black family, William and Amy Hightower. (I am only speculating, but I think that Amy could have been another daughter of Reuben and Eadie Gay). I would appreciate any help in determining whether or not Reuben and Eadie Gay were slaves of Wiley Jones Gay or William H. Gay.

"I have just found Reuben Sr.'s son, Reuben Jr., in the 1900 census for Fayette Co., 496th precinct, ED # 44, page 246: Reuben Gay, b. Feb. 1870, in Ga.; wife, Carrie, b. Aug. 1872 in Ga.; daughter Charity, b. 1894 in Ga.; and Reuben's mother, Eady, b. May 1825 in Ga. Eady is widowed in 1900 and is listed as having 14 kids, 8 still living.

"One item of interest that I have found in a history of Clayton Co. is that before the Civil War, Wiley Jones Gay is stated as being one of the richest men in Fayette Co., in land and slaves. In 1860, he owned 14 slaves, according to that year's slave schedule.

"My husband's great-grandmother was Ida Fife (m. Robert Harp, Jr), born in May of 1865, probably in Fayette or Henry Co.(?) Her parents were Ben Fife, b. abt. 1823-1826(?) and Adaline Turnipseed, b. abt. 1828-1831(?). Living next-door to Ben and Adaline Turnipseed Fife in the 1880 Cherokee Co., Ala. census, were 'S.' and Ana/Anna Turnipseed, ages 65 and 60, respectively. In 1870, 'S.' and Ana Turnipseed were living in Henry Co., Ga.

"I have found Robert Harp, born 4 July 1864 in GA, (probably Fayette Co.) listed with his parents, Robert Harp Sr. and Matilda Harp, in Shelby Co., Indiana in 1870. His siblings from this census (all born in Indiana): William F., b. 1866; Lewis/Louis, b. May 1868; and Annie C., age 5 mos. Robert Harp Sr was 31 in this census, Matilda was 20.

"In the 1880 census, Robert Harp Jr, is listed with this family (p. 24A): Reuben Gay, 52; Edy, wife, 54; Henry, son, 20; Roxana, dau., 15; Reuben, son, 10; Harp, Robert, grandson, 16; Harp, Frank, grandson, 14; Harp, Louis, grandson, 12; and Harp, "Coot', grandson, 6. I do not know what happened to the Annie C., that was listed in the 1870 census.

"I may have found Robert Harp Jr.'s mother, Matilda, in the 1880 census, living in Atlanta, District 96, Jones Street. Family lore states that Matilda remarried a Harkness, and there is an African-American Harkness family in the 1880 Atlanta census, Jones St.: Harkness, Aleck, 49, b. Ga.; Matilda, wife, 31, b. Ga.; William, stepson, 14, b. Ga.; and McKay, Sallie, black, 33, boarder. The mystery here is who was Frank Harp, age 14 in 1880, living with the Gay family mentioned above, and who is the William Harkness listed here as Aleck's stepson? Both Frank Harp and William Harkness were age 14 in 1880.

"Information on the Fife family shows Ben and Adaline (Turnipseed) Fife were living in Fayette Co. in 1870. The rest of the family from the 1870 census (all born in Ga.): Hillard, 15; Warren, 14; Wade, 11; Brown(?), 7; Francis, 2; and Ida, 1/12.

"In 1880 this Fife family was living in Cherokee Co., Ala., except for one family member that had stayed behind in Fayette Co. Hillard Fife is enumerated in 1880 Fayette Co., page 26B, with the following 'white' Harp family: William, 30, father b. in Ga., mother b. in S.C.; Ida, wife, 27, b. in Ga., parents b. in Ga.; William, son, 2, b. in Ga; Fife, Hillard, 25, b. in Ga., servant; and Turner, Robert, black, 18, servant.

"I have received about 10-12 pages of info from the Genealogical Society in Henry Co., on the "white' Turnipseed and Fife families, but nothing mentioning Adaline or her parents. And nothing mentioning Ben Fife.

"Information from the 'white' families shows that David, Henry, Levi and Rhett(?) Turnipseed and David W. Fife all migrated to Henry Co., Ga, from Richland Co., S.C. abt. 1850. I would appreciate any help in determining if Ben Fife and Adaline Turnipseed were slaves of any of the above mentioned families. Ben and Adaline Fife were both born in S.C., according to census records.

"If anyone is related to these families, (either) African-American or white, I would love to hear from them.

"Susan Anderson, 7186 True Road, Niles, MI 49120; E-mail: sanderson@qtm.net."?

Anyone connected? Please let Susan know.

Send stories about your Georgia ancestors to The Citizen, Drawer 1719, Fayetteville, GA 30214; E-mail jkilgore@thecitizennews.com or jodiek444@aol.com.

Until next week, happy hunting!