Thursday, January 16, 2014

A Window Into The Past: Breaking Down A Brick Wall - Part #1

Maternal Adopted Ancestry

This is not the first time I have written about the Singleton-Gilliam Ancestry. I strongly feel that this is the beginning of my story of Slave & Master on my Maternal family line.  It is also very possible that the Nelson Surname is important to this research.  

Sure I have ancestors that were free people of color but I had many others that were brought across the seas to this land we call America.  My Great Great Grandmother Hannah D. Nelson-Singleton Gilliam born sometime in 1839, lived the life of a slave and also had the opportunity to play a significant role within her family and community during the Reconstruction years migrating from Craven County, North Carolina to Worcester, MA. Hannah was described as a very fair complected woman.  She had many household skills that she took with her into the Reconstruction years...so reflecting on Hannah and not fully knowing her, I believe that she was a House Slave. Of course I can't assume, but I really don't think she worked a day in the field. From what I have heard, the family was very sophisticated and skilled in the homes of the Well-to-do in Worcester, MA.


In my mother's journal she spoke of Hannah being impregnated by the Slave Master.  In my research, I discovered that Singleton was the Slave Masters surname.  During slavery, my 2x Great Grandmother was married to a Daniel Gilliam.  I only see him mentioned through documents such as birth certificates, death certificates, city directories as Hannah being the widow of Daniel.  I finally found him in a probate record dated in 1867 in Craven County, NC.  It is clear that he never migrated to Worcester, so that made it easy for me to end his story where he might have been born. [I am unsure where he was born.]  I am unsure if he was colored or white; slave or free.  I have made many assumptions, but with my assumptions, it has put false walls up, so I am opening up on my conclusions and re-opening the box and stepping outside of it, allowing my ancestors to guide me to the truth. 


Hannah had at least five children [I think she had more, and some may not have been her biological children.] One of her sons was Leander Singleton Gilliam.  He was so fair, that he passed as a white man.  He didn't start "passing" until he migrated to Worcester with his mother Hannah and his Auntie Jane B. Collins.  The fact that he "passed"  somewhat surprised me as these two ladies were also very fair, however were advocates and leaders in the Black Community of Worcester and probably in North Carolina once the Slaves were free.

Lawrence Sr., Lawrence Jr., and sister Lynn
 Leander married a Swedish woman Flora Lawrence, and the two of them gave birth to three boys.  Their son's names were: Lawrence, William and Eugene.  All of the boys were given the Singleton surname as their middle name.  I find this very telling.  A few years ago, the husband of Lawrence's daughter contacted me believing that we were cousins.  After some discussion and the analyzing of our family tree and sharing of documents, we were able to confirm our relationship.  I could let our ancestry begin with Hannah, and speculate who the real father was of Leander and all her other children, but I felt there had to be a bigger story that could somehow be dug into deeper.  Leander was born in 1860, and it was documented in his marriage record that his father was a William S. [which meant Singleton to me.] I have other clues that give me this conclusion, however I will show this in another post as I attempt to prove through documentation and DNA.  The Singleton-Gilliam line to this day "pass" as white because after Leander "passing," the family line did not know of their African American ancestry.  This was disclosed to them once I was contacted.


So some time in August or September of 2013, I received an email from the grandson of Leander Gilliam. This was so important to me and I knew that the ancestors had to be working overtime.  When it is the right time to know, the truth will appear.  

So, Leander's grandson Lawrence Singleton Gilliam Jr. who is in his 80's communicates with me on a regular basis.  I truly adore this man, my cousin.  When I shared with him his ancestry, he mentioned that he always was told of their Native American Ancestry.  He knew nothing of his African Ancestry.  So the two of us decided that it was time for Lawrence to take a DNA test.  This is what he did, because one thing he wants to know at his age is where he came from and what his ancestry is. I was thrilled!  We just got the results back, and I am telling you, I was all over the place as they were slowly coming in.  I went from elated to uncertainty as to the results.  These will be revealed soon.

So, my main questions are?:   Is Leander's descendants of African Ancestry? Can we link Lawrence Singleton Gilliam to the Singleton Ancestry through DNA? Was the Singleton surname just the Slave Owners ancestry and just a name alone linking the Gilliams to the Singleton plantation?  Is it possible that Leander had a different father, and that possibly Daniel Gilliam is his father?  I hope some of these questions can be ruled out and answered correctly.


22 comments:

  1. So we playing the Who! What! Where! Game Yvette? One thing for sure DNA don't lie. Good Luck with your findings ! Bev

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    1. Thank you Bev! I thought I had most of the answers and had them almost packaged perfectly....hmmm...Let's try this again. ;-) Thank you for reading my post.

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  2. I loved his picture! puts a face to the name. Glad you asked all these questions to yourself and you'll know what to look for when results are completed. There still may be some surprises. I like him and glad you are there to assist him with the Unknown. Let us Know!

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    1. Oh yea! Lawrence is one of the sweetest people I have met on my journey, and I am so glad that he is my cousin. True, I can't wait for the surprises. I hope that they really develop the story and give me better insight into their lives. I will be letting you know as soon as I know. ;-)

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  3. Great post. Yes, DNA testing is the truest paternity test out there. I look forward to reading the next post.

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    1. Thank you Teresa for your response. DNA sure is going to reveal a lot and hopefully link us to more family.

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  4. I dug it!! Great photos, and great research, Yvette!

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    1. Thank you Cecelia! I appreciate you stopping in and leaving a comment.

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  5. Oooh I like this post. You are going to get your answers. It may take more time but I think you are definitely on your way. Great post!

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    1. Thank you Andrea!! I think this is the year of many answers!! :-)

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  6. This is a reminder thst our legacies in this country has many layers.Just like the bricks and mortar of a building are whats on the surface the strength of the structure is often that which is hidden the foundation. Valerie Lewis-Mosley,@SankofaGriot...Love It Yvette.

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    1. I love your analogy Valerie! Thank you for your comments...I truly appreciate.

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  7. I gotta know!!! Waiting on the big reveal. I loved your story, the research and theory and everything. I can't wait to find out. Thank you for sharing

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  8. Great Post, now I anxiously wait for the outcome. What a great gift that grandson Gillium Jr did the DNA test. I love it when family come together to help learn the truth. Nice photos. Thank you for sharing.

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    1. Thank you for your comments. Gilliam Jr., reminds me that old age does not mean you act old and outdated. He is really up with the times, and willing to help out and learn where he can. I am so grateful for him.

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  9. This was really interesting. Looking forward to the next installment. Thank you, Yvette.

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  10. Can't wait to see what DNA reveals! Great post!


    ~AmyC.
    Tracing Amy: My Ancestral Journey
    http://tracingamy.wordpress.com

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    1. Thank you Amy for coming through...I will reveal very soon.

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