Family Treasure: Bermuda Cedar

Wedding Cups from Bermuda

My husband & I took a cruise to Bermuda for our honeymoon in early June more than 3 decades ago. While we were on those beautiful islands we wanted to buy something that could be only be found in Bermuda and decided on a couple things made from Bermuda cedar. We bought wedding cups, wine glasses with double wedding rings around the stem, and a pair of bookends. The wooden cups were especially romantic because we had only been married a few days. We still keep these on shelves in our living room.

According to a Bermuda website:

Cedar trees have significant cultural value to Bermudians. The wood of the Bermuda Cedar was historically valued for construction, ship building and furniture. It was also used for carving, boxes and firewood. The soft, red wood is still highly prized by woodworkers and the signature smell of cedar is known to most Bermudians. A Cedar seedling is often placed atop Bermudian wedding cakes to be planted by the couple.

Cedar Bookends

Related Posts:

• New Year's Resolution

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks = Week #31; Edwin Barksdale Alford

Edwin Barksdale Alford

25 November 1792 NC – 10 March 1878 MS

Son of Jacob Alford & Elizabeth Bryant

My 3x Great Grandfather

Edwin Barksdale Alford was the son of Jacob Alford. Jacob was married twice. Edwin was probably the son of Elizabeth Bryant. His siblings were: Lucy, Jacob, Needham J., Sarah,

 Nancy & Moses.[1]^,[2]

Edwin served in the War of 1812 as a private with Captain Thomas Bickman and the 12/13th Consolidated Louisiana Infantry.[3], [4] For his service he received a bounty land warrant for 40 acres of land in Tangipahoa Parish, LA. The warrant was signed by President Franklin Pierce.[5]

On 20 December 1818 Edwin married Martha Smith, daughter of Jeremiah Smith & Joanna Dillon. In 1820 they were in Pike, MS with a young son.[6] They would stay in the area and become the parents of 13 children.

A grandchild wrote:

My grandparents, Alford, were both remarkable strong characters. Well adapted to frontier life. Grandfather was one of the most practical and industrious men I have ever known. He began life as a poor farm boy. When he was a minor, he cleared and put in cultivation a field for a Mr. Bell, walking from home on the Bogue Chitto at the beginning of each week and returning at the end. In the course of his active life he had acquired some three or four thousand acres of land, some twenty or more negro slaves. He had bought the settlements of some half dozen improvident neighbors, worked from twelve to fifteen hours per day.  Had the best library of any man in the country at that time, and was remarkably well informed and a very public spirited citizen. Made all his moderate wealth directly out of the ground.[7]

The Alfords were abundant in the MS/LA area. Edwin held many land patents for Pike Co., MS & nearby Tangipahoa Parish, LA. In Pike Co. he had land patents in the Progress & Simmonsville area in 1849, 1851 & 1859. His neighbors included: Julius N Alford [his son]; Noah P Fortenberry, Hollis H Fortenberry, Wyatt Smith [wife's brother]; Calvin Smith [wife's brother]; and Gasua Fortenberry.[8] In Tangipahoa Parish his neighbors included: Ira P. Alford [his son], Isaac E. Alford, & Jeptha J Alford [his son].[9] There were 19 Alford households in Mississippi in 1840 and 45 Households in 1850.[10]

The 1850 Census report shows Edwin as a 58 year old farmer, married to Martha. The value of the real estate he owned was $2,000. Five children were at home. Sons, Jeptha and Seaborn were farm hands.[11] 

The 1870 Census lists several Alfords living next to each other: Julius, Edwin, Jacob and Frank. Edwin was 77, working as a farmer and living alone.  His land was valued at $1,000 and his personal estate at $500.[12] 

           

Edwin was buried in the Edwin B. Alford Cemetery. The small cemetery is on a gravel road, one and one-half miles southwest of Silver Springs Baptist Church and 3/4 mile north of the Louisiana line.  Also buried there are Martha Smith Alford, Julius Newton Alford and three or four unmarked graves.  Edwin’s stone is discolored but still easy to read: "Edwin B. Alford BORN Nov. 25, 1782 DIED Mar. 10, 1878".[13]  It is directly by the roadside on a small hill.  Visiting the cemetery in August 1997, it was difficult to see the gravestones from just a short distance away because of the weeds and brush grown up all around and through the site. 

 

Edwin B Alford

Related Post:

• Martha E Alford Brumfield

---

[1] Pedigree Chart for Roy Brown; 1700's to 1948; Compiled by Zelda Marie Alford Fortenberry; Given to author, June 1994, by Rayleen Brown Hall.

[2] Creel, Bevin J. A Patriot's Legacy: The Family of Richard Dillon and Ann Lawrence From Bertie County, North Carolina To Southern Mississippi and Louisiana. Franklinton, Louisiana: Privately Printed, 2002.

[3] Heard, Ruby Alford, Gil Alford. "Early Mississippi Alfords." AAFA Action: The Official Publication of the Alford American Family Association III (1990):p. 36.

[4] Family Note from Gilbert K. Alford, President of the Alford American Family Association.  March 1998. 

[5] Land. Bounty Land Warrant #75733 for Edwin Alford in Tangipahoa Parish, LA; 12 February 1857; US Dept. of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, General Land Office Records. 

[6] Heard, Ruby Alford, Gil Alford. "Early Mississippi Alfords." AAFA Action: The Official Publication of the Alford American Family Association III (1990):p. 36.

[7] Tynes, Walter Edwin. My Pilgrimage, 1928.

[8] Land & Maps. Boyd, Gregory A. Family Maps of Pike County, Mississippi. Deluxe. Norman, Oklahoma: Arphax Publishing Co., 2005.

[9] Land & Maps. Boyd, Gregory A. Family Maps of Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana. Deluxe. Norman, Oklahoma: Arphax Publishing Co., 2008.

[10] Heard, Ruby Alford, Gil Alford. "Early Mississippi Alfords, Part 2." AAFA Action: The Official Publication of the Alford American Family Association IV, Number 1 (1991): p. 22.

[11] 1850 U. S. Census, Pike County, Mississippi.

[12] 1870 U.S. Census, Osyka, Pike County, Mississippi, Page 2.

[13] Parish, Ray and June Sartin. Cemetery Inscriptions, Pike County, Mississippi 1750 - 1978. Privately published.

Forget Me Not: W. D. Smith, MS

William Dorten Smith in MS

"W. D. Smith was born January 14^th, 1818; joined Centerville Baptist Chruch by letter September 22, 1891; and lived a consistent member until death, which occurred November 16, 1906, aged 88 years, 9 months and 2 days. Funeral services were conducted by Elder A. F. Davis after which his remains were laid to rest in the family cemetery, leaving seven sons, three daughters and a large number of grandchildren and great grandchildren to mourn their loss."

From: Williams, E. Russ. Abstracts of Obituaries from the Minutes of the Magee's Creek Baptist Association (Mississippi and Louisiana), 1882 - 1924. Monroe, Louisiana: Privately printed, 1978, page 68. From the Louisiana Archives, Baton Rouge, LA.

1 William Dorten Smith b: 14 Jan 1818 Pike, MS, d: 16 Nov 1906

... + Lucreta Dykes b: 10 May 1825 LA, d: 14 Nov 1896 MS

......2 George Smith b: 6 Dec 1840 LA, d: 26 Jan 1921 MS

...... + Jane Smith

.........3 Lucretia Smith b: 21 May 1879, d: 14 Sep 1955 MS

.........3 G. Dort Smith b: 11 Feb 1882, d: 21 Mar 1947 MS

.........3 Maggie Smith b: 20 Jan 1891, d: 20 Oct 1935 MS

......2 Clara A. Smith b: Abt. 1843 MS

......2 William L. Smith b: 06 Apr 1845 MS, d: 15 Apr 1928 MS

...... + Seletia E b: 09 Jun 1852, d: 16 Jan 1902 MS

.........3 Kelly Smith b: 22 Aug 1873, d: 21 Mar 1885 MS

.........3 Emily O. Smith b: 19 May 1876, d: 23 Mar 1879 MS

......2 Henry J. Smith b: 24 May 1847 MS, d: 15 May 1914 MS

......2 Jarrett Rankin Smith b: c. 1849 MS, d: 1934

...... + Florence

......2 Isaac Franklin Smith b: c. 1854 MS

......2 LucindaSmith b: c. 1856 MS

......2 Jasper D. Smith b: c. 1858 MS

......2 Lucreta Dykes Smith b: 18 Feb 1863 MS, d: c. 1957 MS

...... + Henry Marshall Smith d: 1946

.........3 Watteson Smith

.........3 Murray Smith

.........3 Marshal Smith

.........3 C. W. Smith

.........3 Dixie Smith

......... + Holmes

.........3 Era Smith

......... + Porter

.........3 Myrtis Smith

......... + Quinn

.........3 Euna Smith

......... + Holmes

.........3 Hattie Smith

......... + Simmons

.........3 Velma Smith

......... + Holmes

......2 Murrey Smith b: Abt. 1866 MS

... + Lucretta Dykes

......2 Cinderilla Smith b: 1856 MS

...... + Thomas Dolphus Bickham

.........3 Dorten Carroll Bickham b: 1876

Related Posts:

• Wyatt Smith Tombstone

Charlotte Temple Ott, Twice Widowed

Charlotte Temple Ott Brumfield

5 Sep 1813 LA - 1895 LA

Daughter of Jacob Ott III & Margaret Jackson

My 3x Great Grandmother

Charlotte Temple Ott was the daughter of Jacob Ott III & Margaret Jackson. Her siblings were: Isaac, Charles, Jessie, Naomi, Sarah, Samuel & Jacob.

In 1835 Charlotte Temple Ott married Nathaniel Brumfield.[1]^,[2]  They had five children. In 1840 & 1850 they were in Washington Parish, LA where Nathaniel was a farmer.[3] In 1850 Nathaniel was one of the top rice growers in the parish. Two years later, Nathaniel died.

Charlotte had five little children to care for and a farm to run. She married Nathaniel’s brother, Elijah Brumfield. Charlotte & Elijah had two daughters together.[4]

They stayed in Washington Parish, LA. In 1860 Charlotte & Elijah had six children on their farm.[5] In 1860 Elijah had 35 slaves.[6] In 1863 the Elijah Brumfield family had three girls in school in the 6^th school district in the parish.[7]

Charlotte had two sons serve in the Civil War. Oldest son, Martin Penn Brumfield, served in the Washington Rifles, 9^th LA Infantry. In June 1861 the Washington Rifles left the Bogue Chitto area and marched to Camp Moore for training. From there they traveled by train to Virginia where they established camp in Warrenton. There were many illnesses in the camp. In November they moved to Camp Florida in Centerville. The winter was harsh and the southern soldiers were not used to the snow and sleet that fell on them. By January 1862 they moved on to camp Carondolet. Many of the soldiers had no shoes and ragged uniforms. Pneumonia hit the soldiers. Without having seen combat Martin died of ‘Diarrhea’ in Charity Hospital, Gordonsville, VA in April 1862.[8],[9]

  

Two other sons, Jessie Alexander Brumfield & John D. Brumfield, both served in J H Wingfield’s Regiment, LA Calvary. Fortunately, they returned home safely.[10]

In 1880 Charlotte, once again a widow, was still in Washington Parish, LA. Son, John D. and daughter, Angeline, were both living with her.[11]  Charlotte died c 1895, having lived her life in Washington Parish, LA.

Charlotte & children:

1 Charlotte Temple Ott b: 1815 LA, d: 1895

... + Nathaniel Brumfield b: 1813 Washington Parish, LA, m: 1835, d: 8 Feb 1852 LA

......2 Martin Penn Brumfield b: 15 Mar 1837 VA, d: Apr 1862 VA

......2 Jessie Alexander Brumfield b: 27 Sep 1838 LA, d: 27 May 1914 MS

...... + Martha Elizabeth Alford b: 8 Aug 1846 Pike, MS, d: Aft. 1910

......2 John D. Brumfield b: 29 Jul 1842 LA, d: 1 Apr 1903

...... + Zadie Martin

......2 Sarah Lucy Brumfield b: 21 Nov 1845 LA, d: 1926

...... + Isaac Roberts

......2 Laura Brumfield b: 19 Apr 1851 LA, d: 25 Sep 1936

...... + Needham W. Alford b: 18 Jun 1848, d: 22 Nov 1922

... + Elijah Brumfield b: 1805 York, SC, d: Aft. 1860

......2 Charlotte Angelina Brumfield b: 7 Aug 1855, d: 1936

......2 Courtney Rebeccca Brumfield b: 11 Apr 1857

---

[1] Randolph, Ruth Brumfield, and Nell Brumfield Jacobs Smith. Brumfields Revisited: Ancestors and Descendants of George Y. and Martha Penny Brumfield. Privately printed, 1995.

[2] Clawson, Alma Dell Magee.  Fields of Bloom.  Privately printed. 1972.

[3] Williams, Jr., Ernest Russ. A Potpourri of Historical Data concerning the Founding Families and Individuals of Washington Parish, Louisiana, 1798 - 1860. Monroe, LA: Northeast Louisiana University.

[4] Randolph, Ruth Brumfield, and Nell Brumfield Jacobs Smith. Brumfields Revisited: Ancestors and Descendants of George Y. and Martha Penny Brumfield. Privately printed, 1995.

[5] 1860 US Census, Washington Parish, Louisiana. Elijah Brumfield family.

[6] Kerns, Gloria Lambert. Washington Parish, Louisiana Records, 1810 - 1898. Baker, Louisiana: Folk Finders, 1983, Page 23. US Bureau of Census, Washington parish, LA; 1860 Slave Schedule. Elijah Brumfield.

[7] Kern, Gloria Lambert. Washington Parish, Louisiana Records: 1810 - 1898. Baker, Louisiana: Folk Finders, 1983.

LA School census records, 1863, Washington Parish. Elijah Brumfield

[8] Williams, Jr., E. Russ. History of Washington Parish, Louisiana 1798 - 1992. I. 1994. 976.311. Martin P Brumfield member of' Washington Rifles/ Company I, 9th LA Infantry, Confederate States of America"

[9] Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers who served in organizations from the State of Louisiana; NARA; digital images on fold3.

[10] Ibid.

[11] 1880 US Census, Washington, Louisiana SD 1, ED 194, Page 35; Charlotte Brumfield.

Sepia Saturday - Signs

 This week’s Sepia Saturday photograph focuses on signs on buildings. It reminded me of two family photos that were taken c 1925.

Weissberg Furriers

386 Grant Street, Buffalo, NY

This Fur Store was owned by Frank Samuel Weissberg, son of Morris Weissberg & Rose Bankin, and Florence Gartner, daughter of Leopold Gartner and Fannie Edelstein.  Florence was my Grand Aunt, sister of my maternal grandfather. Frank was born in Austria and Florence was born in New York City where they met and married on 27 January 1907.[1] By 1910 they were living in Buffalo, NY.[2]

The 1925 New York State Census shows the family at 386 Grant Street, Buffalo.[3] Frank was a furrier. This is the location shown in the photographs, as evidenced by the signs.

I am very happy they took the time to pose in front of their store with the signs behind them. Frank & Florence then posed their sons and even the dog in front of the store.

Milton Sydney Weissberg b 1907

Francis Weissberg b 1915

I went to Google Maps to find the same building today. However, it is just an empty lot.

Be sure to take a peek at the other photos posted for Sepia Saturday this week.

---

[1] Certificate of Marriage for Samuel Weissberg and Florence Gartner, 27 January 1907, #2933, State of New York, City of New York; New York City Department of Records, Municipal Archives, 31 Chambers Street, New York City, New York.

[2] 1910 United States Census, Buffalo, New York, SD 14, ED 48, Sheet 6A; Samuel Weissberg family on Walnut Street in Buffalo.

[3] 1925 NYS Census, Erie County, Buffalo, AD 4, ED2, Page 30; 1 June 1925. Frank S Weissberg family at 386 Grant street.

Book Report: Amite Co., MS, 1699 - 1890

Casey, A. E. (2001). Amite County, Mississippi, 1699-1890.

Volume 3: The Environs. 

Greenville, SC: Southern Historical Press, Inc. 

(Original work published 1957).

When is the last time you had a new resource to explore: a new map, document or book that you were anxious to look at closely? This book just arrived at my doorstep and I an full of happy anticipation. Some of my families lived in Mississippi: Alford, Brown, Brumfield, Dillon, Fortenberry & Smith. They lived in Amite, Marion, Pike & Walthall counties. Potentially this book could have information on any or all of those families. It could be filled with important pieces of the puzzle OR it could have just a clue or two OR it could be that I can't connect any of the data inside to my family at this time. However, before I even open the cover, I am hopeful & full of anticipation!

Nathaniel Brumfield, A Short Life in LA

Nathaniel Brumfield

1813 LA – 8 February 1852 LA

Son of John Brumfield & Margaret Kelly

Husband of Charlotte Temple Ott

My 3x Great Grandfather

Nathaniel Brumfield was the son of John Brumfield & Margaret Kelly. His siblings were: William, Lucy, Willis, Davis, Charles, Ridley, Isaac, James, Elijah, Jesse Kelly, Alexander C., & John Wilson.[1]^, [2]

In 1835 Nathaniel married Charlotte Temple Ott, daughter of Jacob Ott III & Margaret Jackson.[3]^,[4]  In 1840 & 1850 they were in Washington Parish, LA where Nathaniel was a farmer.[5] In 1850 Nathaniel was one of the top rice growers in the parish.

"Nathaniel Brumfield produced 37 bales of 400 pounds each (along 4,000 pounds of rice and other foodstuffs) on 200 acres of clear and cultivatable land with a work force coming from his 24 slaves."[6]

Nathaniel was only 39 years old when he died. His wife had five little children to care for and a farm to run. She married Nathaniel’s brother, Elijah Brumfield.

Nathaniel had a short life but through his children and theirs his line continues.

[1] Pedigree Chart for Roy Brown; 1700's to 1948; Compiled by Zelda Marie Alford Fortenberry.
[2] Conerly, Luke Ward. Pike County Mississippi, Pioneer Families & Confederate Soldiers, 1798 – 1876. 2008 Edition. Madison, Georgia: Southern Lion Books, 1909.
[3] Randolph, Ruth Brumfield, and Nell Brumfield Jacobs Smith. Brumfields Revisited: Ancestors and Descendants of George Y. and Martha Penny Brumfield. Privately printed, 1995.
[4] Clawson, Alma Dell Magee. Fields of Bloom. Privately printed. 1972.
[5] Williams, Jr., Ernest Russ. A Potpourri of Historical Data concerning the Founding Families and Individuals of Washington Parish, Louisiana, 1798 - 1860. Monroe, LA: Northeast Louisiana University.
[6] Ibid.

Forget Me Not: Lula O’Quin Brumfield, 1909

 Lula Brumfield, 1878 - 1909

"Lula Brumfield, daughter of W. J. O’Quin and M. E. O’Quin was born Dec. 15, 1878, and was married to H. J. Brumfield, 1896. United with Centerville Baptist church 1894, where she remained until her death March 20, 1909, leaving a husband and five children; father and mother, five brothers and one sister." 

Source: Williams, E. Russ. Abstracts of Obituaries from the Minutes of the Magee's Creek Baptist Association (Mississippi and Louisiana), 1882 - 1924. Monroe, Louisiana: Privately printed, 1978, page 72. From the Louisiana Archives, Baton Rouge, LA.

1 Lula O'Quin b: 15 Dec 1878, d: 20 Mar 1909

... + Henry James Brumfield m: 1896

......2 Ottis L. Brumfield b: 05 Mar 1897, d: Dec 1965

......2 Cullen Brumfield b: 21 Apr 1901, d: Unknown

......2 Watson William Brumfield b: 01 Oct 1903, d: Unknown

......2 Lucy Brumfield b: 17 Mar 1906, d: 30 Jul 1968

......2 Lexie Brumfield