If I Could Choose: Re Post (With Updated Information)

If I Could Choose

I was thinking about some of my ancestors. If I could choose one of my ancestors to meet with and talk to, Who would I choose?

Out of all my ancestors that I have discovered on my lineage, I would choose my Great Grand Father Isaac Blakey.

Why? I have many reasons.

A number ONE, he was my Great Grand Father, (my father's father's, father). But what questions would I ask him?

Here are some questions.

 

I know that I can't speak to my Great Grandpa. He has passed on. I know that I can't communicate with the died.

 

What I wrote after the questions was what I have discovered on my journey.

How did you escape to join the Mississippi Union Army while in slavery?
I read that Great Grandpa Isaac played marbles while he was serving during Civil War. He was between the age of 12 - 15 when he ran away from Missouri to join the Mississippi Army.  There are records that stated that he and his mother (Julia Finney White) were sold and they went south.

What can you tell me about your first wife?

Great Grandpa's first wife, Martha Scott was my father's father's mother. She died in child birth on Hew Davis' plantation.  There were twin sons born on 21 June 1871. One was my Grandpa John. His brother, Andrew died in child birth.

How did you gather together as a family in Missouri after the Civil War?

 I don't know how many brothers and sister my Great Grandpa Isaac had.  The family was divided around the breaking out of the war. I searched the census records.

I think 2nd Great Grandma Julia had about 14 or 16 children. She was widowed on the 1880 census. There were so many same name in the family.

How did you hear about Jesus?
In my Great Grandpa's pension records, he had a minster testify for him. Great Grandpa Isaac was a deacon in the church. Great Grandpa was apart of the church. He went to church, (at the First Baptist Church in Forest Green, Missouri.)

Why did you keep the Blakey surname?
Great Grandpa Isaac was the only one in his family that I have come across with the Blakey surname.  His parents and siblings carried the White surname. When Isaac join the Civil War in MS, he became Private Isaac BLAKER. 

Great Grandpa went by the surname BLAKEY. But, I have found his name to be WHITE when he was listed in the 1880 census with his mother, Julia as head of the household. According to Isaac's  on his pension records he declared his name to be Isaac Blakey .

What was your relationship with your slave holder?
I have read that my Great Grandpa Isaac's pension records. There were two slave holders that testified for my Great grandpa. They spoke kind words of Great Grandpa.

One who sold my Great Grandpa into slavery (W.C. Harvey) stated that Great Grandpa had a good reputation as a slave. This man knew my Great Grandpa since Isaac was born.

The other ex slave owner, (Y.C. BLAKEY) who was 10 older than my Great Grandpa. This man gave a good report as while. He stated that the "family" name was BLAKEY. The slave holders helped raise my Great Grandpa.

These ex slave owner lived about 10 miles from Great Grandpa at the turn of the 1900's. Both testified that Great Grandpa was the same boy that they knew. I think that there was some respect in the family.

Staying On The Journey,
If I Could Choose

Thanks for reading.
Susan

Remembering Yankton October 31, 1981

I've been thinking about my journey to Yankton, South Dakota.  I can't forget it. I've learned more about my family connections over the years.

It's been 34 years since I met my Great Auntie Mary "Lovie" (KINNEY) BLAKEY. She was my Grandpa John BLAKEY / BLAKLEY's sister in law. Great Auntie Mary was my only Great Auntie that I remember meeting in person. That was the only time we've met.

On Saturday, October 31, 1981, I met some other relatives in Yankton. Some of Mary's grandchildren, Mary Jane and her husband James LIGHTNER and Mary Jane's sister Doris and some of their children.

It was a long journey getting there. I was glad, I made it. It was on this day that discovered who my Great Grandpa was. I thought his name was John Blakey. But his name was Isaac Blakey. Mary Jane had a photo of our Great Grandpa Isaac with his wife Rachel. I was amazed to see that photo. I wished I took a picture of it. Below is a photo of my Great Grandpa Isaac.

Private Isaac Blakey
(1845- 1917)

I was fascinated by all the things Great Aunt Mary and cousin, Mary Jane had been sharing with me through our corresponds over the years. As I look back, I'm thankful that I kept the letters that Mary Jane wrote me. I've been re reading them. There are some things I forgot about.

I've been searching more of the clues that Mary Jane spoke of in her letters. At that time, I didn't know what cousin Mary was speaking about. But, as I'm coming across more information, there are some things that are making some sense.

I thank God for all that I've encountered on my journey quest to know more about my family connections. I have come across a lot of relatives in the process. I hope to connect with more. If not in person, by internet. That's how I have been finding family connections.

Thanks for reading.
S. A. Blakley

A Piece Of History: My Family Connections: The Children Of Isaac Blakey: a.k.a Private Isaac BLAKER

I was going through the list of Isaac Blakey's children. Who was Isaac Blakey? He was my father's, father's, father. My Great Grandfather. He was a former slave from Missouri. He served in the Civil War from 1863  - 1866 on the Union side in Natchez, Mississippi.

According to oral history, Isaac had 18 children by his wife, Rachel (LEPHRIDGE) BLAKEY. But through research, I have discovered that Isaac was married before Rachel and had twin sons. And as I keep searching, I came across more names.

Over the years, I have been looking at Isaac's pension records, census records and so on. The names of his children were listed. I added up the names and come up with 27 names. Rachel had 18 children and Isaac's first wife, Martha (SCOTT) BLAKEY had twin sons. Isaac had 20 children. There's 7 names too many.

I compiled the list from Isaac's pension record: according to two affidavit , the census records and from other sources on his children. Here were the names listed. I have discovered that some had nicknames and some went by their middle names.

                            Below is an one hundred old list of Isaac's children. It's 2 pages
 

Twin sons by Martha (SCOTT) BLAKEY
John BLAKEY / BLAKLEY
Andrew BLAKEY
They were born on June 21, 1871 in Woodville, Mississippi.

                                     



Children by Rachel Ann (LEPHRIDGE) BLAKEY
Date record: July 28, 1915

The * stars by the name on the left are coulf have been extra names.
Perhaps middle names or nicknames of the children.

The names could have been the order of birth.

Mary BLAKEY / WHITE - GREEN

Charity BLAKEY

Isaac BLAKEY

*Andrew BLAKEY could have been Isaac's middle name.

Jordan BLAKEY. He didn't have a middle name

Julia BLAKEY was the twin of Jordan

Frances BLAKEY

Henry BLAKEY.
He as the first born in Missouri.

Beecher BLAKEY. He could have been Isaiah

Spencer T.  BLAKEY. He could have been Turner or Tanner.

Lillie (BLAKEY) - HAYES Her nickname was Susie.

*Kate BLAKEY

Martha  BLAKEY
Her nickname was Mot.

*Maggie BLAKEY

Joe BLAKEY

Rosa BLAKEY

Edna Mae (BLAKEY) JACKSON MARION BENTLEY. 
Her nickname was Edner

*David BLAKEY

Ollie BLAKEY. His nickname was "Deke". He was a deacon.

Lawhorn BLAKEY. His nickname was "Doc" He tended to animals. Perhaps a veterinarian.

Annie Rebecca BLAKEY

Archie T. BLAKEY
Archie middle name could have been Thomas.


This was the first known record recorded of Isaac's children on January 28, 1898. Perhaps that was why there was another affidavit in 1915. All the children's names weren't recorded. 

Note the name of Isaiah; Beecher not mentioned.
Also the children who passed on were not mentioned: Andrew, Charity, Julia, Frances. 
Plus surname spelled BLAKER.
Rachel's maiden name was spelled LEFURE or some thing like that.



Missing names on this page.
Lawhorn, David, Kate, Martha , Maggie Joe, Rosa

As I searched the census records, I began to eliminate  some of the names. I noted that there were 2 Andrews.  There were some who had different birth years. Henry was counted in the 1880 census but his birth year he went by was 1881. Isaac Jr's birth year could have been in 1873 or 1874.

I hope to discover more on this list. It's been a challenge. I hope you see some family connections.

Thanks for reading.
S.A. Blakley

A Piece Of History: My Family Connections

One Hundred years ago, Isaac Blakey's children was recorded on a list.
Below is the twins he had with Martha Scott Blakey.
Isaac's other children will be posted on the next blog.

Photo was taken by Bernice Bennett in June of 2015.
Used with permission.
Thanks, cousin!

 

I was amazed when I saw this page.

The seal was in color.
John Blakey was my Grandfather.
It was an honor to see his name on this page.
I didn't know he was a twin until I read this paper in the early 1980s
The copy that I have is in black and white.

Thanks for reading.
S.A. Blakley

In Remembrance Of Isaac Blakey (1845 - 1917 )

 Isaac Blakey (1845 - 1917 )
 a.ka. Private Isaac Blaker ~
MS Union Soldier ~ (1863 - 1866 ) 

 The day of Isaac Blakey's birth was unknown. The established date and year Isaac Blakey was June 30, 1847 in Fayette Missouri. According to Isaac's death record he was 72 years old. The year of his birth would have been 1845.



From Isaac Blakey's Pension Records

2015 marks the 170th year of Isaac Blakey birth in 1845. Isaac was a former slave from Missouri. He was the son of Andrew White and Julia Finney White from VA. Isaac was the only one in his family to carried the Blakey surname. His parents and siblings took the White surname.

The story has it, Isaac took the name BLAKEY surname from a billboard or a barber shop sign. Isaac was making his way down south to MS to join the Civil War on November 1, 1863. He served until May 13, 1866.

I'm not for sure were the BLAKER surname came from. Isaac stated that his name was Isaac Blakey on the pension records. That reminds a mystery.

Thanks for reading.
S.A. Blakley

Christmas Day Of 1917

The Christmas Day of 1917 was a sad day for the Blakey Family, relatives and friends. The family gathered together to bury their loved one. I don't know if there was an obituary of Isaac Blakey. He passed way on Sunday, Dec 23, 1917. I have been searching for my his obituary.  (Isaac was my Great Grandpa.)

I don't know what the heading of Isaac's obituary could have been.

We can only imagine. An enslaved and Veteran During The Civil War Passes Away at 72. 
Here's my  version of an obituary in remembrance and honor of Isaac Blakey.



Private Isaac Blakey
1845 -1917

Isaac Blakey, a Civil War Veteran was laid to rest on Christmas Day 1917, two days after his passing. He had stories he shared of his freedom years from slavery and of his War time. He was born as the enslaved until the early 1860's and became a free man for 54 years.  

Isaac Blakey was born into slavery in Fayette, Missouri. Isaac's date of birth was unknown. But his accepted birthday was on June 30, 1847. According to one of Isaac's former slave owner's, Isaac was born in the year 1845.

Isaac was born to the enslaved union of Andrew and Julia (Finney) White both from Virginia. Isaac was rise as a slave in Howard County Missouri. It was about the 1861 when Isaac and his mother were sold and they went south. Isaac then ran away to join the Civil War in Natchez, Mississippi.

It was on Sunday, Nov 1, 1863, Isaac, at the age of about 16, enlisted as Private Isaac Blaker. He was stationed in MS Co H. Reg't 6, US Col'd Heavy Artillery MS. During the Spring on 1864, Isaac was accidently wounded to his leg. He was honorable discharged on Sunday, May 13, 1866.

After the war, Isaac met Martha Scott from MS. They later married about 1870 in MS. They had twin sons born on June 21, 1871 in Woodville, MS. Martha and son Andrew passed in June of 1871. Isaac was left to raise his son, John.

Isaac met Rachael Lephridge. She was from MS. They later married on July 3, 1873. And to this union they had 18 children.

Isaac resided in Mississippi from about 1861 to 1878 - 1879. It was during sometime after the war he was trying to locate and reunite with family from MO. He located them and moved them back to MO.

Isaac returned to Missouri around the Spring of 1879. By 1880, he was living with his mother, Julia, some of his siblings and relatives in Chariton County. Isaac was a farmer. He was a deacon in the black First Baptist Church in Forest Green, MO. He was believe to have been of the faith.

In Isaac latter life, he became disable. He was unable to work due to his injury during the Civil War. He lived out his life in Chariton County Missouri.

Isaac was preceded in his death by parents, Andrew White and Julia (Finney) White. His 1st wife, Martha (Scott) Blakey and 2nd wife Rachel Ann (Lephridge) Blakey, his children, Andrew, Charity, Julia, twin of Jordan, Frances, Beecher, Joe, Rosa and Annie Blakey.

Isaac was survived by his children, John and his wife, Jennie, (John was the twin of Andrew), Mary and her husband, Rev. Ollie Green, Isaac and his wife, Maggie, Jordan and his wife, Flora, Henry and his wife, Mary Elizabeth, Lillie and her husband, Edward Hayes, Spencer and his wife, Mary "Lovie" Blakey, Martha and her husband, Ernest Hayes, Ollie and his wife, Margaret, Edna (Blakey) Jackson, Lawhorn, and Archie Blakey. And a number of grandchildren, great grandchildren and cousins and friends.

On Christmas Day, Dec 25, 1917, Isaac was laid to rest next to his wife, Rachel. He was buried in the black cemetery (Hoffman Cemetery) in Chariton County, Missouri. This was the place where the family were buried.
_______________________________________________________

According to Isaac's death record: Isaac was born in Shannondale, Chariton County Missouri USA

Isaac Blakey's name on death record. Isac Blakey. He was listed as an African. Father's name, Andrew White. Mother's name not known. Isaac was buried on Christmas Day in Forest Green, MO

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There was a memorial set up for all the colored who served in the Civil War. Isaac was honored with a plaque in Washington DC as one of the many soldiers who served in the Civil War.

 

Blakey? Or White? Isaac Blakey

Isaac states his first and last name.



Former slave owner states Isaac's last where a bout etc....before the Civil War.

Former slave owner states the family surname



Isaac takes an oath of if he could read or write.

Isaac Blakey: Private Isaac Blaker: Civil War 1863 - 1866



Isaac Blakey



Enlisted on Nov 1, 1863
Discharged May of 1866



Isaac Blakey's question about birthyear: 1845 or 1847?

Isaac Blakey: Alais Blaker

At the far right of this document there is Civil War seal in an oval like share...
stating at the top CIVIL WAR with another oval circle like share ...
the date APR 11, 1913 and outside that oval the word DIVISION

Civil War Div.

Inv. Ctf, I00I87

Isaac Blakey

Alias Blaker

H.6. U.S.A--H.A.

In relation to the above entitled cause; personally came before me,
a Notary Public in and for the County of Chariton and State of Missouri:
Y.C. Blakey, whos post office address is Salisbury Chariton County, Missouri,
a person well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit,
and who by me being duly sworn declares in relation to the aforesaid cause as follows: that he is 78 years old having been born in the year 1835;
that he is will acquainted with Isaac Blakey, "Alais Blaker",
that his mother owned, the said Isaac Blakey,
that he and his mother raised him; and to the best of his knowledge
and belief, the said Isaac Blakey was born in the year 1845,:
that no records now exist showing the date
on which the said Isaac Blakey was born.

Witness my hand and Seal this the 7th, day of April, 1913

Y.C. Blakey

Subscribed and sworn before me this the 7th , day of April 1913.
And I further certify that the contents of the foregong was fully made known to the affiance before signing. and that I have no interest in the prosecution of this claim.

My commission as Notary will expire, April 3rd 1915.

S.F. Trammill

Notary Public,

There was a circle seal mark in that circle the word PENSION
at the top...then the letter U.
then beside that the month of Apr
under that the day 10 under that the year 1913
and under that the word OFFICE

Affidavit Of Isaac Blakey's Proof Of Birth

Inv, Ctf. 1001870

Isaac Blakey
Alais Blaker

H.6. U.S.A.--H.A.

In relation to the above entitled claim,
personally came before me
a Notary Public in and for the County of Chariton
and State of Missouri;
Isaac Blakey (Claimant)
whose post office address is Shannodale Chariton County Missouri,
a person well know to me to be reputable and entitled to credit and who,
being duly sworn declares in relation to the aforesaid case as follows:
That he is unable to furnish either public,
Church or family record showing the date of his birth:
that he was raised by the Blakey's who's early family record has been destroyed;
that his young master (several years his senior)
Y. C. Blakey, is still living and that he will furnish an affidavit from him.
WITNESS my hand and Seal, this 5th, day of April , 1913

his

x

Isaac Blakey

mark

WITNESSES to MARK,

S.F. Trammill

Re. B (?) Wright

Subscribed and sworn to before me this the 5th day of April 1913.
And I futher ceritfy that the contents of the foregoing
was fully made known to the affiant before signing.
and furthere eclafer that have no interst in the prosecution of this claim.

My commssion will expire April, 3rd, 1915,

S.F.Trammill Notary Public

( Note that the last name may be in correct spelling.)

Article Reflections: Slavery Descendants To Have First Reunion: Part 12

Article written about 1971 or so.

Some final thoughts on this article.

As I was going thought each sentence of this article, I wasn't aware of some things.
As I was going blog to blog, I noticed that I added more and more as I went along.

I was trying to see what the writer was trying to share. There were some generation gaps in the beginning of this article. There could have been a generation that came from Africa who were shipped to New Orleans in 1843.

I have no leads on that. I have found out the  family came from through corresponds with a cousin. One of the Yankton, South Dakota descendant said the family came from off the coast of Nigeria.

As for the mother and 5 children, they could have been a family in 1843. But not the one that matches up with the Isaac that ran off to join the Civil War.

I wasn't for sure about some things until I came across the slave ad that lead to more discoveries. And what a discovery that was. I was seeing the names of my 2nd Great Grand parents' names with some of their children. How aweful to be a slave and be sold.

1858 Ad

Andrew White was believed to have been the father of Julia's children.
Andrew or Julia may have had a mulatto child.

Here is a list the children that I have come up with.
Unknown child who had a child named Rebbecca
Mary WHITE,
Linda WHITE,
Lydia WHITE
Isaac BLAKEY who married Martha SCOTTt and Rachel LEPHRIDGE
Andrew WHITE
Ben (Benjamin) WHITE
Spencer WHITE who married Melinda BANKS and Lou
Josh (Joshua) WHTIE who had 3 daughters and a son named John BLAKE
David WHITE
Martha WHITE who was a widow
Mattie WHITE who was a widow with 5 children
Richard "Dick" WHITE who married Jane FERGUSON and Mary Belle BROOKS

Isaac was the only one who carried the BLAKEY surname.  There are many unanswered questions that we will never find. But the descendants of this union have some history to past down to the next generations.

I hope others will pass down what they know and or heard of on their family history. Each family has a history to share. May we learn to record what we know.

Thanks for reading,
Susan

My search continues....

Project: Julia WHITE Connections

Isaac Blakey Jr. And Yankton, SD. Blakeys ~ Part 10

Isaac Jr., Henry, Blakey

Some of the Blakeys moved to Yankton, South Dakota in 1905.

Jordan who married Lizzie ? ,  and Flora Lawrence
Beecher,
John who married Jennie Bartlett
Archie who married and later moved to CA.
Lawhorn "Doc" who married and later moved to CA
Ollie "Deke" who married and later moved to CA
Spencer who married L. Mary Kinney
Lillie "Susie" who married Edward Hayes
Edna who married surnames Jackson and Bentley
Anne Mae ....?

Others who came...
Mary who married Ollie Green and perhaps were buried in SD.
Jordan remarried and moved to Michigan
Beecher moved further north

Blog continues

Isaac and Rachel Blakey ~ Part 9



Isaac and Rachel BLAKEY

This Isaac was the one who served in the Civil War.

Isaac's  first wife, Martha SCOTT wasn't mention in the article. Isaac married Rachel LEPHRIDGE / LEFTRIDGE / LEFEW in Wilkinson County MS on July 3, 1873. Isaac's surnane of the record was spelled BLAKER.

According to this article and oral history they had 18 children. On Isaac's pension record their were mention other names. They could have been nicknames. Here's a list of Isaac children and their off springs.

Blog continues

Blakey / Blakley Descendants ~ Article Part 8

Blakey descendants
This wasnt' the John Blakey brother of Isaac BLAKEY.

There was some confusion with this part: This John wasn't the slave John BLAKEY, brother of Isaac BLAKEY. His John was the son of Isaac Blakey. John changed his surname to BLAKLEY. He was also known as John BLAKEY.

Isaac Blakey married twice. His first wife was Martha SCOTT. They married in Wilkinson County MS. They had twin sons; John and Andrew.

John , the son of Isaac and Martha (SCOTT) BLAKEY married Jennie (BARTLETT) in 1902 in MO. They had at least 15 children. John and Jennie resided in St. Joseph, MO. John's son Isaac BLAKLEY lived in St. Paul MN and was the son of Dick who was Richard and Bob who is Robert BLAKEY who played football at the University of MN around 1960.

This blog continues.

Empolyment , Homeland And Surnames ~ Part 6

They found worked on farms. And lived in Forest Green Missouri area.
They kept their own names. White And Blakey

 More clues and a mystery. 

They were employed and made their homes in Forest Green, MO.
Where did they work? As farmer or as farm hands?

What names did each family member take?
The mother in this article was unknown.
But later I came across her name in 1989.

What names did each one take?
The mother, WHITE
Isaac BLAKEY
John WHITE
Spencer WHITE
Matt WHITE
Dick WHITE

It appears that Isaac was the only one in his group that took the surname of BLAKEY. Don't know why Isaac kept the BLAKEY surname. Perhaps he was with the BLAKEYs for a long time. They may have helped him to his freedom. Two of the former slave owners gave affidavit of who Isaac was. Isaac applied for his pension records in 1890's.

Also for the mother, Did she have other children? Yes. She had about 12 or 13 children. Some of the children may have passed away before the turn of the century. Some of the family members may not have know about them.

The article states that Matt WHITE never married. As I searched for Mattie White, I came up with her as a widow with about 5 children. I don't know how this information got lost.


The big mystery to this part of the article: Who was the great grand mother? Was the writer in this article speaking of Ted Blakey's great grand mother? The mother of the slaves  or the mother's husband's mother?

The mother was believe to have passed away and was buried in Forest Green, MO. Most those who passed away in this family were buried in Forest Green, MO and area.
There are some descendants who still live in the Forest Green Area.

Blog continues

Isaac Blakey Reunites With Family ~ Part 5

Here are some more clues: Some time after Isaac was discharged from the army, he started to look for his family. Wonder how long it took him to find them? Note: Isaac was wounded in the War.

Isaac didn't know where his family was... But found out that they were shipped MS. Isaac had to have had some connections to where the where a bout of his family. Perhaps the info was from his former slave owners.

Isaac did located his family easily because he was familiar with the area where his family was. The article mentions the names of Isaac's other siblings. Spencer, Dick and sister, Matt.. 

The article states that Isaac's siblings were shipped to Natchez, MS. I wondered if they were ever in MO? Also if this Spencer, Dick and sister, Matt White were other relatives on the other generation? It was just a thought. However, Isaac did have siblings named Spencer, Dick and Matty White.

As for Isaac Blakey, he was born in Roanoak , Fayette or Shannondale Missouri between 1845 - 1847. The slave owner, John BLAKEY passed away in 1844. Most of the slaves where born after John BLAKEY passed.

John's widow, Frances (WHITE) BLAKEY and her children were the slave owners to Isaac, his mother and her children. The father of the slaves weren't mentioned in the article. I wonder why? Nor was the name of the mother.

 As for Spencer, Dick and Matty, they choose the WHITE surname. According to this article, John carried the BLAKEY surname. But through searching, John carried the WHITE surname.

Isaac somehow convinced the family to move back to MO. I think that other relatives may have been there. Why would some one what to move back to the area where they were once held captive as slaves? I think that there was some family connections in Chariton and Howard County Missouri area.
Blog continues....

John and Isaac Blakey: Civil War ~ Part 4



John in Forest Green MO.
While Isaac joined The Union  Army after Emancipation Proclamation was signed.

More clues: The Emancipation Proclamation which was signed on Jan 1, 1863. John remained in Forest Green, MO as a slave. And Isaac somehow ran away and joined the Union Army for three years and nine months.

I began to search more on my Blakey ancestors in 1980 - 1981. One of my sisters heard of some Blakeys living in South Dakota. We set out to find more information.

It wasn't until we visited some cousins in Yankton, South Dakota, we came across some news that we didn't know about. I was surprised to hear that Isaac was on my family lineage. I thought John, Isaac brother was on the direct line.

This information sparked my desire to find out.I was hoping there would be some record on Isaac. So I searched more.

As I searched for information on Isaac Blakey, I found out much more about on the family tree. I thought if Isaac served in the Civil War than there should be some record of it. I received that information through the mail. But it took a while. Isaac's surname was BLAKER.


In the military records: I  came across information that I thought was long lost. I pieced together some of what I discovered. There was listed the names of the slave owners; John and Frances (WHITE) BLAKEY. That explains the two family surnames. It appears that the WHITE slave owners was on Frances' side.


Isaac did joined the Union Army in Natchez Mississippi on Nov 1, 1863. He was between 16 -18 years old. He was honorable discharged on  May 13, 1866. Isaac date of birth was unknown. He's accepted birth was on June 30, 1847. Yet some records stated his birth year about 1845.

A great wonder would be, how did a young teenage slave travel to MS?  It would have been hard to escape without help. Perhaps he was sold to some of the WHITE / BLAKEY relatives in MS.

According to Isaac BLAKER's pension records, Isaac and his mother were sold about the breaking out of the War and they went south. That could explain how Isaac ended up in the army.

There was no mentioning of where the other slaves were . Oral history states that they were in Natchez, MS. What a coincident? Isaac was there too.

Question: Was John the only slave relative left in Missouri? There could have been other relatives with John. As for John, his surname was WHITE. That was the confusion in the article. John took the WHITE surname.

I thought to myself. Who was John BLAKEY, the slave? I came across that answer. He was John WHITE (1858- 1918).  There was a John Blakey mentioned in the article. He was the son of Isaac Blakey, brother of John WHITE.

Blog Continues

The Arrival And Names Taken ~ Article Part 3




The next three sentences

When they arrived in New Orleans, the slaves were sold at slave auctions and given a bill of sale.
The slaves were given the slave master's name.

The two oldest brothers, Isaac 12 and John 10 sold to a man by the name of BLAKEY.
He took them to Forest Green, Missouri.

Here were some more clues. There should have been a record of the bill of sale for these slaves. I don't know if the records still exist. So we can figure out about what year Isaac and John were born. I assume that the year was 1843 when the slaves were sold. Here's the math.

1843 - 12 = 1831 the year about when Isaac was born
1843 - 10 = 1833 the year about when John as born

Assuming that the year was 1843, the years don't match up with the John or Isaac BLAKEY. There may have been another generation with a mother and her 5 children. According to this article Isaac was the oldest. As I searched on I found out that Isaac had older siblings. Isaac was born about 1845 - 1847. John was born about 1858.

There was a slave owner named BLAKEY. I search for the slave owners. They moved to Missouri about 1835 from Virginia. The slave owners did live in Forest Green, Missouri. Chariton and Howard County Missouri Area.

As I searched more, I came across more leads. Those leads led to more questions. I was surprised by what I stumbled across. Oh, I wouldn't have though of this. The question to the mystery began to unfold.

Blog Continues.

Part 2: Blakey - White Families: The Year 1843

The first two sentences of this article:  

The introduction of the article gives some good information: the families surnames, a year, a name and the place; Riverside Park. The date of the article was not listed or the State where the reunion took place. I later found out the reunion was held in Iowa around 1971.  

According to one of the descendants, Ted Blakey from Yankton, South; a mother, and her four sons and a daughter came to New Orleans on a ship in 1843. I don't know where Ted Blakey got this info -

Ted could have been oral history from his father, Henry Blakey who passed down what he heard and or what others said about the family history. After researching, I came across the list of some of the slaves' names and the Blakey slave owners' names.

The article mention the year 1843 and a place. I can trace back to the year 1843 through information that I came across. But the article raises some questions about when the family came to New Orleans.
This article states that the mother and her children can on a ship from some where to New Orleans. That somewhere was perhaps Africa or from another State in America?  

Question: Did the mother and 5 children remain in New Orleans for a while before they were moved to MS? (There were some things in these two sentences that didn't match up with the other records that I have come across.)

By this article, the reader can assume that the mother and her children weren't born in America. Over the years, I wondered. Could there have been another generation that came from Africa? After researching, I did discovered that the mother of Isaac (and the other children) was born in VA. One of the mother's or father's children was born in VA. The mother's other children were born in MO.

I'm not trying to disprove any thing stated in the article: Slavery Descendants to Have First Reunion. I see some things in the article that brings questions. The reporter could have wrote down  incorrect information. Still there was a lot of information in this article. (That was what inspired me to began to search out what I could find.)

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