In Memory Of James A. Washington: He Passed Too Soon

 
 Who was James A. Washington? I first heard of  James while searching the 1880 census record. He was the son of William and Susan Washington.  He was listed as mulatto and a 7 year old who attended school. The census was taken on June 9, 1880.

I knew very  little of James. I learned that he my Great Grandmother, Anna Laura (Washington) Allen Walters' brother. I tried to trace him on the 1900 / 1910 censuses and other records. He never showed up. I assumed that he passed. But, when?

I searched the death records. I came across a James Washington, colored who drowned on July 8, 1889. I thought that he was that person. But, I needed proof. I didn't know where to look.

About 4 years ago, I started to explore old newspapers. I didn't think that the news wouldn't record his death. I never thought to look. But,  one day, I came across a notice of a James who did drown. I was amazed that I stumbled across the news of James' passing.

As I kept searching, on Feb 27, 2017,  I found the evidence that James was William Washington's son. The article mentioned where they lived. One thing I noticed that his race wasn't mentioned. James "Jim" drowned on Sunday, July 8, 1889 at 10:30 am. His body was found on the next day.

The article mentioned that James was swimming. He went out to the middle of the stream near the bridge where it was deep. He had a cramp. There were people were trying to help him. They couldn't get to him.

The searchers couldn't find his body on Sunday. But, they recovered the body by using fish hooks on that Monday. What a horrible sight to witness.

As I look back over my search for my Great Uncle James. I  thought I wouldn't find anything on him. I wondered: What became of his life? I'm thankful that I found out what I did.

Indeed, James lived a very short life. He was born about 1873 in St. Joseph, MO.  Apparently, he liked to swim. He was in school. Tragically, he drown at the 102 river at the age of 16.

I believe that James is with Jesus. God had a purpose for his life. Though James lived 16 years on this earth, he is not forgotten. He left a mark on those he touched.  ~ R.I.P Great Uncle James.

Thanks for reading.
God bless you
S.A.Blakley

Clues From the Past: Part 2 ~ Mrs. Anna Laura Walters' Parents And Siblings

Searching For Information On Mrs. Anna Laura Walters

 A part of Mrs. Anna Laura Washington Walters' obituary, 1947.
The handwriting on this piece of paper is a question.
It appears to have been Anna's granddaughter, Sarah Belle (Lankford) Johnson.

I've been on the journey to find more info on my Great Grandmother Anna Laura (WASHINGTON) (ALLEN) WALTERS' parents. Anna was the daughter of John / William WASHINGTON and Susan (LEACH)WASHINGTON. Here's what I've discovered.

I've been searching cities directories for William / John Washington and Susan Washington. There were many Washingtons listed in St. Joseph, Missouri. I believe some were related to William and Susan. 

I haven't located Susan Leach or Susan Washington on the city directories. However, there were at least two or three William Washingtons at times and one Wiley.  How confusing.

I've been narrowing the Williams down by addresses and occupations. I think that Anna Walters' father was named John William Washington. Through searching the censuses and obituaries, I have come across other information.

 Anna's father was listed as William J. Washington, J. William Washington, Geo W. Washington, W. Geo Washington, etc..  Through researching, I came across a son of William Washington. His name was John W. or William Washington.

This John W. or William Washington lived with his father, William and his step mother, Mahala and his step sister Ella Lewis in 1910. Also, William Jr. may have went by Wiley Washington. William Jr. was married. His wife passed before 1910. Also, Wiley had a son named Charles Ernest Washington.

  On Mrs. Anna Laura Walters' obituary:
  List of her survivors . The son in law was Leo Lankford / Lankfard.

          Siblings Of Laura (Washington) Allen Walters       

Death Living

Nannie  Washington

Birth Aug 1869 in St. Joseph, Missouri                                              

Death Living

Death 15 July 1895 in St. Joseph, Missouri

Amelia Washington

Birth about 1871 in Missouri

Death Living

Death in Missouri, 

James A.  Washington

Birth about 1873 in Missouri

Death Living

Death 8 July 1889 in St. Joseph, Missouri

Virginia F. Washington

Birth about 1876 in Missouri                               

Death Living

Death 18 Feb 1897 in St Joseph, Missouri, 

          Lillie  Washington
          Birth 1879 in St Joseph, Missouri,
          Death in Missouri.                                                          

          John / William Washington's son

          William Washington Jr.
          Birth  about 1859 ?
          Death:
        

         Thanks for reading.
          S. A. Blakley

Death Living

 

         I hope to find more on the journey.