Family Firsts
In the research I'm doing on my family I'm starting to find some interesting things.
I've discovered my first immigrant ancestor, John Conner Shehee, who came from Ireland sometime in the mid 1700's. Almost all the branches of my dad's side of the family have been in America since at least the Civil War, and a few since the Revolutionary War. I have very few of my Mom's ancestors back that far yet.
I've discovered the first official slave owner. Balaam Bentley left the following decree in his will dated 1816: "To Vincy I give the Negro girl Rast that is now in her possession and to Kizziah the Negro boy Peter and to my son John I give my boy Harvey and my son Benjamin is to have a Negro from the increased use of this estate." That was to be expected coming from the south I suppose, but it's still pretty distasteful to know that my blood was directly involved. I had always hoped somehow that my family had been too poor or something to own slaves.
I have several Civil War soldiers, and now at least two Revolutionary War soldiers, John Conner Shehee fought in the Revolutionary War, as did Balaam's father William Bentley.
I've found a man who had 40 children by two wives, the first born when he was 17, the last when he was 71.
I've found a man who married his own step daughter (and was prosecuted by the state for adultery for it.)
And I may have found a relative who sold the Confederate Army 61 pounds of soup. Or possibly soap. It's hard to read, and I'm not sure it is my ancestor yet. But I just like to think about this guy selling the army 61 pounds of soup.
I've discovered my first immigrant ancestor, John Conner Shehee, who came from Ireland sometime in the mid 1700's. Almost all the branches of my dad's side of the family have been in America since at least the Civil War, and a few since the Revolutionary War. I have very few of my Mom's ancestors back that far yet.
I've discovered the first official slave owner. Balaam Bentley left the following decree in his will dated 1816: "To Vincy I give the Negro girl Rast that is now in her possession and to Kizziah the Negro boy Peter and to my son John I give my boy Harvey and my son Benjamin is to have a Negro from the increased use of this estate." That was to be expected coming from the south I suppose, but it's still pretty distasteful to know that my blood was directly involved. I had always hoped somehow that my family had been too poor or something to own slaves.
I have several Civil War soldiers, and now at least two Revolutionary War soldiers, John Conner Shehee fought in the Revolutionary War, as did Balaam's father William Bentley.
I've found a man who had 40 children by two wives, the first born when he was 17, the last when he was 71.
I've found a man who married his own step daughter (and was prosecuted by the state for adultery for it.)
And I may have found a relative who sold the Confederate Army 61 pounds of soup. Or possibly soap. It's hard to read, and I'm not sure it is my ancestor yet. But I just like to think about this guy selling the army 61 pounds of soup.
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