Mrs. Anna Laura (Washington) Allen Walters: She was a daughter, a sister, a step sister, a step daughter, a cousin, a wife, an in law, a step auntie, a child of God, a mother, a step mother, a friend, a grandmother, a great grandmother, and two times a widow. ~ As for her occupation, she was listed as a laundress (a wash woman) and a domestic worker.
In Her Adversity: Only if we could imagine.
Anna Laura Washington was born on Thursday, June 13, 1867 in St. Joseph, Missouri. She was the daughter of the formerly enslaved William Washington and Susan (Leach) Washington.
The first known address of the Washington family was at 1801 Mulberry Street to where at least three generations lived. Some were born there and some died there. Susan’s mother Mrs. Delila Lewis. (1790 – 1887) came to live with the family in 1878. Delila was formerly enslaved born in Tennessee, then was moved to Kentucky and Missouri.
Anna, also known as Miss Laura Washington at age twenty one married William “Wm” Allen on Wednesday, March 6, 1889. Four months later, on Sunday, July 7, 1889, her 16 year old brother James “Jim” Washington was swimming in the middle of the stream near the bridge where the water was deep in the 102 River. He began to cramp and before help could research him, he drowned at 1:30 pm. His body was found the next day.
On Saturday, December 21, 1889, Anna Laura gave birth to her first born, Mary Anna Allen at 1801 Mulberry Street. Then 19 days later on Thursday, January 9, 1890, her mother, Susan passed at age 55 at the family home. Susan had been ill for a little over a year.
Anna was left to care for her daughter and her sisters. And by Wednesday, December 17, 1890, Anna’ ‘s father marries Mrs. Mahalah Winn (1841 – 1921) who became Anna’s step mother.
There is no record of what happened to Anna’s husband William. Assuming that William passed around 1890. Anna married Thornton Walters in the 1890’s. There were two Walters children born between 1890 – 1894.
Anna’s second husband Thornton lived a rough life before marrying Anna. He was in fights and was in trouble with the law. He served time in prison. Thornton became paralyzed on one side of his body for several years prior to 1903..
On Tuesday evening, of August 18, 1903, Thornton with the company with his family and Dan Gamon at Lake Contrary in St, Joseph, Missouri. Thornton and his friend, Dan Gamon got in a boat to go fishing across the lake. Dan was rowing the boat.
Thornton was “trying to adjust the line” and lost his balance, felling overboard. His friend couldn’t swim…. Thornton drowned in the bayou at the lake at 9pm. The water was twenty feet deep. His body was found the next day. ~ Thornton Walters (1858 – 1903)
Anna was left to care for three children: 1903 – 1909.
Mary / Bonita Walters was most likely to have been Anna’s step daughter. Bonita born around 1890. She gave birth to her son John Nelson on Saturday, August 24, 1907. On the birth noticed, she was listed as “B.O” Walters having a son.
On the 1920 census, John, at the age 13 was living with his Grandmother Laura. There is no record of what happened to Bonita. She was listed as Mary Walters, a widow on the 1910 census with her mother, Laura, and siblings. John was listed as a nephew of Laura which wasn’t the case.
Anna’s son, Joseph Walters could have been her biological son. Joseph was in trouble with the law. He didn’t get along with his brother in law Leo Lankford. In 1910, Joseph at age 16 was charged with assault and attempt to kill Leo who was paralyzed on the left side of his body since the age of four. Joseph did serve time in prison on other accounts. He passed at age 31 of TB.
Anna’s biological daughter, Mary married Leo Lankford Sr. on Friday, April 16,1909. Mary’s name was Mary Walters on the marriage license. Leo and Mary were listed on the 1910 census with Laura. Mary / Bonita was listed as daughter and Joseph as son of Laura Walters.
Throughout Anna’s lifetime, despite all that she went through, she kept on living .
On Anna’s February 1947 obituary
Anna had a daughter, Mary, 12 grandchildren (which included John Nelson, Mary Lankford had 11 children.) 14 great grandchildren, one son in law, Leo, some cousins and two step siblings, Townsend Winn and Ella (Buckner) Lewis who were living at the time of her passing.
Four sisters and one brother, James were mentioned by numbers. There is little known about three of her sister. Nannie, Amelia and Lillie. Her sister, Virginia passed in 1897. The Washington siblings did have a half brother name William Washington Jr. Little is know about William Jr.
Thanks for reading.
Mrs. Anna Laura (Washington) Walters: In Her Adversity
Anna passed at her daughter Mary’s home at the age of 79.
R.I.P. Great Grandmother Anna Laura
Blessings
S.A. Blakley
Week 38 ~ Amy Johnson Crow’s #52Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge for 2023
The theme for Week 38 is “Adversity.” All of our families have had to face adversity at some point. Recognizing their struggles helps us recognize their humanity.
September 21, 2023
I added the In Memory to this blog:
