Just came across this Pulaski County, Georgia deed in which Maria Wiggins Bembry mortgages the estate of her (presumably deceased) husband, John Bembry. The deed names several enslaved people. She apparently defaulted on the mortgage, as a later newspaper announcement of an auction (below) list some of the same names. Georgia Pulaski County This indenture … Continue reading Slaves Held By John and Maria Wiggins Bembry of Pulaski County, Georgia
Tag: Family History
The Widow Reveal’d
In which my 5th great-grandfather lives life to the fullest.
The Mysterious Widow Bembry
Where there is a widow there must have been a husband. Did Miles Bembry make a surprise move late in life?
To Buy a Wife?
In which I wonder if a a discount on a land sale was a way of securing a suitable bride for an overseer's son.
Thomas Bembry Goes Off the Reservation
A bastardy bond in Edgecombe, North Carolina.
The Reckoning
For a while there, I used Ancestry's Family Tree Maker. Then I switched to Family Search's Legacy, and spent quite a bit of time getting that organized. Then, a couple of years ago, I bought a desktop Mac, and realized too late that I couldn't use Legacy on it. (But I still love the Mac). … Continue reading The Reckoning
Researching Slave-Holding Ancestors
There are two topics that are guaranteed to come up in just about ongoing discussion of American family history research: slavery and slave ownership. Genealogy television shows frequently explore the subject: of course you would expect to see that on Henry Louis Gates' excellent African-American Lives. But, it's remarkable how many celebrities (not all Southern) … Continue reading Researching Slave-Holding Ancestors
Extract from Nathan Harris II Will, 1820
The second Nathan Harris, son of the first Nathan, and my 6th great-grandfather, also made a will. However, I have not yet been able to find it! There is a probate file for Nathan online, however, because of family disputes about the estate. The probate file includes an extract from the original will. I wrote … Continue reading Extract from Nathan Harris II Will, 1820
When Your Ancestor Was Found Under a Cabbage Leaf
Miles Bembry is the first Bembry in America that I have been able to identify. For years, off and on, I've been trying to figure out where he came from. I've researched online and in libraries. I've tried cluster genealogy, researching his neighbors, business associates and probable former slaves. His origins remain a complete mystery. … Continue reading When Your Ancestor Was Found Under a Cabbage Leaf
Miles Bembry Part III: 1810-1819
Finally getting back to writing about old Miles Bembry! The previous post, taking his biography up to 1810 can be found here. It ended with Miles' purchases of several tracts of land in Edgecombe County in preparation for his move there. By September, 1810, Miles and his wife Nancy Ann Bryan had settled just north … Continue reading Miles Bembry Part III: 1810-1819
A Long Way to Tennessee 