Claiborne County MsArchives History - Letters .....Reflections Of Delilah E. Marble McKay 1954 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ms/msfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Martha McKay maimage@hevanet.com June 19, 2010, 5:31 pm Narrative History: Reflections of Delilah Elizabeth (MARBLE) MCKAY, 1856-1955, Her Ancestors and Related, with Endnotes from Compiler Claiborne County, Mississippi Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Martha McKay, email: maimage@hevanet.com ****************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights inaccordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities, when written permission is obtained from the contributor, so long as all notices and submitter information are included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. ******************************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net ******************************************************************** Reflections of Delilah E. (Marble) McKay Regarding Her Marble, Jones, Freeman Ancestors as Narrated to her daughter, Floy (McKay) Williams The following history was narrated in 1954, by Delilah E. (MARBLE) MCKAY (1856-1955) (Claiborne County, Mississippi) Compiled and Edited by: Martha McKay, Portland, OR Email: maimage@hevanet.com Introduction: The names mentioned in this paper are: Martha Burnett, Anderson Freeman, Cates Freeman, Green Freeman, Elvis Freeman, Rev. Johnson, Elizabeth Jones, John A. B. Jones, John G. Jones, Ira Jones Marble, Nancy Casandra Freeman Marble, Marshall Johnson Marble, Milton Franklin McKay, Delilah Elizabeth Marble McKay, Ira Z. McKay, Harriet Pierce, Armstead Pettipool/Pool, Joe Pool, William Pool, Louisa Rus. In a letter from Floy McKay Williams written to Martha McKay Floy says: "You inquired about a family tree or anything pertaining to the family. The enclosed as you will see, is about my mother's family. She made her home with my sister, Flora in the winter and with me in the summer. So it was during these times that I got the enclosed information from her. "My Mother, Delilah Elizabeth MARBLE MCKAY related the following information to me, prior to her death in 1955. She lived to be almost 99 years of age." Delilah's Narrative: Reflections of Delilah E. Marble McKay: Her Parents: "My father was Ira Jones MARBLE. He was born on March 4, 1813, in Jefferson County, Mississippi. His middle name of Jones was his mother's maiden name. His mother was Elizabeth JONES. They were kin to John G. JONES and John A. B. JONES, son, prominent people of Jefferson County, Miss. John G. JONES wrote The History of Methodism. So it is understandable why we embrace and cling to the Methodist faith founded by our leader, John Wesley, and passed on by our ancestors. "Ira J. MARBLE's father was Thomas MARBLE. Thomas was born in Yazoo County and later was a merchant in Jefferson Co, Miss. "My mother was Nancy Casandra FREEMAN. She was born in 1827 in Humphries County, Tennessee, and died in Claiborne County, Miss, in 1900. Nancy married Ira J. MARBLE. She was living with her family at the time. She met Ira near the border between Jefferson and Claiborne Counties. "Their children were: Delilah Elizabeth (MARBLE) MCKAY (Source for this paper) Marshall Johnson MARBLE. My brother became a Methodist minister. His name Marshall came from Rev. C. K. MARSHALL, an outstanding Methodist minister in the state. The name Johnson came from one of their best friends. Milton Franklin MARBLE who died at the age of 4. "Following their marriage they homesteaded land from the Government-80 acres for 25 cents per acre in Claiborne Co. Mississippi, near Sarepta Church. "After clearing the land he built a three-room house, out of hand sawed lumber from virgin timber. The lumber was from long-leaf pine. He hand sawed and dressed the lumber, then put it together with oak pegs. The rooms were 18 by 18 feet with very high ceilings. The kitchen was separate from the house. The columns in front of the long front porch extend from the ground up. "Ira Jones MARBLE was known as one of the kindest and up-right men of the times. In fact, he was too kind-hearted and conscientious to own a slave. He said, "It just isn't right," however the rest of the family members were slave owners. "My father passed away, the cause of his death being over work. ["Ira Jones MARBLE died July 30th, 1862, aged 49 years, 4 months 26 days (Claiborne Co)."] Rev. JOHNSON, his good friend, preached his funeral. Before his death, Ira Jones Marble had almost completed this home for his family. The dwelling was completed after his death. Beautiful oaks of several varieties, hickory nut trees, also wild plum and dogwood surround the home. It is still standing and in good condition. [At 1955] "After his death my mother Nancy was left with three small children--Delilah age six and Marshall, four, plus the baby, Milton, two. Milton died two years later. There was much work daily to be done so she stayed busy and the children grew up helping with the chores." Nancy C. Marble's Parents and Delilah's Grandparents: "My mother's mother was also named Delilah, Delilah YARNELL and she was born in Kentucky in 1785. Her mother's maiden name was BAIRD. She married Anderson FREEMAN, a Methodist minister, and had the following five children: Elvis FREEMAN who married a VAN DYKE Martha FREEMAN who married a MCFARLAND Nancy FREEMAN who married Ira Jones MARBLE Louis William "Green FREEMAN, a brother, [possibly a brother to Anderson FREEMAN] was a prominent lawyer in Tennessee. One brother's family felt Aristocracy coming on so he moved to Cincinnati, Ohio never the less they were prominent there. "Anderson FREEMAN died in Tennessee, leaving my grandmotehr a widow. Delilah (YARNELL) FREEMAN remarries: "After the death of her first husband, my grandmother married Armstead POOL/PETTIPOOL (POOL). First, the POOL brothers, Joe and William, got the wanderlust in their bones so they set out to explore. They came by boat to Grand Gulf and entered land in Claiborne Co, [Miss]. "During the mid-1830's Delilah and Armstead POOL's family migrated from Kentucky and Tennessee. The group included the FREEMAN children, with Martha's husband, Richard MCFARLAND who all came to Claiborne County, Mississippi. They came along also with Armstead Pettipool/POOL's children and husbands, Martha BURNETT, Louisa RUSH, and Harriet PIERCE. "They made this long trip in covered wagons camping along the way. They underwent many hardships and on numerous occasions feared for their lives. Camping out nights was always a nightmare. Some kept watch while others slept. They would hear wolves howling and panthers screaming, coming from distant hills. They lived in constant dread of being terrorized by the Indians who in some instances were friendly, but suspicious, while others had to be avoided completely. They showed their hostility by giving out ever shattering Indian yells and firing or shooting arrows promiscuously into the air. Delilah Marble grows up with Poole grandparents: "My mother had been left a widow with three small children to raise. It was lucky for her that my Grandmother Delilah FREEMAN POOL and her family came to live near us. They moved from Grand Gulf, Mississippi to Port Gibson. They bought land and built a home nearby. "Happy to be settled once again, rail fences were built around the place, land was cleared, cattle was raised and they had a big tan yard. Slaves ran the tan yard. Leather was tanned in vats and all the hair from animals was saved. The hair was used to mix with plaster, to plaster the houses. Joe and William POOLE were expert brick masons. They built the brick pillars for Mississippi's first covered bridges, probably the first in the U.S. Two are still standing and serving the public daily. The other one was blown away by a tornado several years ago. "I spent a great deal of time with my grandparents. They took up a great deal of time telling me exciting stories about their journey from Kentucky and Tennessee in covered wagons. They would camp out at night and would go to sleep listening to the howls of wolves, and cries of panthers besides being in constant fear of terrorizing Indians. Childhood Activities: "At the age of six I began spinning. I often watched my mother and one time when she left the loom to do household chores, I took over and wove yards of cloth. So that I could reach the spindles, the legs of the spinning wheel were sawed off. At age 10, I wove my grandmother a blanket and a cotton bedspread. The lace was about 3 inches wide and was knit from thread spun in the wheel. "When I was 10 years of age I helped with the milking. In fact I milked three cows daily. One of our cows, named Brindle, was real hard to milk. One time I almost fell on her. At any rate, milking was fun. Her Reflections about the Civil War: "While the husbands and fathers were fighting and dying for what they considered a just and patriotic cause, their wives and children were struggling to keep body and soul together on the home front. "When the Civil War began the family was lucky to have a supply of coffee on hand. The supply diminished rapidly as the coffee was shared with surrounding neighbors. In other words, "They were all in it together" and had to help one another. When the real coffee was gone there was no more to be had. So parched corn was ground and used as a substitute. Those were perilous times with a scarcity of many items but no one including women, children, nor slaves ever went to bed hungry. It took a lot of faith and perseverance to survive. "There were no matches during the Civil War. The children and the cooks would go to the fences made of oak rails, pull the bark off and stack in dry piles to make the coals. Bark was also used at night to keep the coals alive. If the fire went out the children were sent to the nearest neighbor to get a "coal of fire." In order to cook breakfast the next morning and to have heat, they had to have fire. Thus, the old saying, "You must have come for a coal of fire." "Anyone fortunate enough to have gunpowder could always get a fire by having a piece of steel and a rock. They hit the steel and rock together and with some cotton sprinkled with gunpowder the sparks would fly onto the cotton and with kindling or splinter the fire would catch and make a blaze. "The antebellum homes were illuminated by candles. The family had candle molds. The candles were made from tallow which was made from beef. Using molds, four candles at a time were poured, adding cotton wicks. "Incidentally, the slaves were not abused and mistreated, as propaganda stated. They were treated kindly, well clothed and well fed. They went about their tasks cheerfully. It took a lot of food to feed large families and slaves. "During the Civil War the slaves looked after the women and children while their husbands and fathers were away. The slaves took over the farm and household chores and did an excellent job during these awful times. There was absolutely no fear or distrust at any time except from the Union soldiers who blitzed through ever so often, pilfering and stealing anything in their path they could use, especially food. Jewelry, silver, and valuables were buried for safekeeping. "Supplies had to be obtained from Port Gibson, the county seat. Oxen were yoked to wagons and driven to town-18 miles away, for supplies. In some cases mules were used, hitched to the wagons, which made faster transportation. "Union soldiers would steal our cattle for beef and then open wide the pasture gates and drive the rest of the herd out. The soldiers would also enter the homes, go upstairs and ransack anything they could get their hands on. They would overturn bed mattresses looking for money, ripping them wide open. The feather pillows were also ripped and torn out the windows. "There is good in every bad. After the war "Grant's march" through the area, towns were destroyed. When the Union soldiers arrived in Port Gibson, Grant was so impressed with the beauty of the little town and the surroundings that he ordered his soldiers to pass it up and not destroy it. Therefore, Port Gibson became historic in the light of this event. "Abraham Lincoln was a great president and a good man, although he had misgivings about a number of things. Consequently, he was right about wanting the slaves freed. "The Emancipation Proclamation" booted his prestige. It should be remembered, however, his foremost desire was his love for the Union. He wanted it preserved at any price and freeing the slaves was secondary. Had Lincoln lived the South would not have experienced the untold misery, abuse and humiliation, which followed after the War. "The Reconstruction days were the South's darkest hours. History pages have never revealed the hardships, misery, sufferings, deprivations, abuse, embarrassments. The South underwent humiliation at the hands of the so-called bosses, better known as Marauders. The South was in total ruin and destruction was everywhere. Strong faith in God, courage and determination gave hope for a brighter future. "Then there was the KKK. Just what took place or ensured we shall never know but the result was rewarding since the carpetbaggers made a speedy exit from the South thanks to their suspicion and superstition. At last the South was free! "To this date the town stands unmarred with its antebellum homes, huge oak trees lining the streets and numerous church steeples pointing upward. The old stone Presbyterian Church has a huge hand on top of the steeple pointing to heaven. A few years ago there was an article and picture of the old church in Ripley's "Believe it or Not" newspaper column. Endnotes from Martha McKay that coincide with this narrative: (1) Floy McKay Williams, personal letters to Martha McKay. (2) Bible Record pages: "Ira Jones Marble was born March 4th 1814. Jefferson County, Mississippi" "Nancy Casandra FREEMAN was born June 25th, A.D. 1837, Humphries County, Tennessee." "Ira J. Marble and Nancy C. FREEMAN were married January 4th A.D. 1853 in Claiborne County, Mississippi. "Ira Z. McKAY and Delilah E. MARBLE were married by Rev. C. W. CAMPBELL December 28, A.D. 1876, Claiborne Co Miss. "Deaths" "Ira Jones MARBLE died July 30th, 1862 aged 49 years 4 month 26 days (Claiborne Co) (3) Obituary pages: "Mrs. Nancy C. MARBLE (nee FREEMAN) died at her home in Claiborne Co. Miss Sunday, July 15th 1900 and was buried in the cemetery at SAREPTA CHURCH. She was born of Christian parents in the state of Tenn. June 26th 1827. "Moved to Miss. About 1844 and was married to Ira J. Marble, a noble Christian man Jan. 4th 1853. She was left a widow July 30th 1862 with three small children to care for. . "She belonged to a large and influential (Methodist) family. Her father, Anderson FREEMAN and many of the family have been and are ministers of the gospel, being widely known over Tenn. and North Miss. She had many sorrows and sad afflictions but always seemed resigned to God's Will and would say it is all for the best. "Nashville Advocate and Port-Gibson Reveille will please copy" (4) More about Nancy Marble from Floy Williams: "Another thing about Nancy MARBLE--the doctor had ordered her to smoke a pipe full of tobacco every night before retiring to help with her asthmatic condition. If her mother's pipe were misplaced she would turn the place over hunting it. "She said knew her mother became addicted to tobacco even if the doctor did order smoking for her asthma. Delilah made up her mind then that she would never use tobacco. In those days it was fashionable to dip snuff, but Mother didn't do that either." (5) Bureau of Land Management (BLM) records--Ira J MARBLE (www.glorecords.blm.gov): MS0540__.260 BLM Serial # MS NO S/N, Issued 2/1/1859, 80.05 acres Claiborne, MS, W1/2SE Block 44/ Twnship 11-N Range 4-E MS1710_.203 BLM series # MS NO S/N Issued 12/10/1840. 320.18 acres, Grenada, MS. (6) 1870 US Census, Claiborne, Brandywine, MS. Page 51, Line 28 shows, Pool, Deliah, age 70 and Line 31 shows Marble, Nancy, age 40. (7) More about Delilah MARBLE MCKAY from the letters of Floy McKay Williams: "My mother, Delilah Elizabeth Marble McKay, was named for her grandmother, her mom's mother, Delilah Yarnell Freeman Poole. Mother always wondered why they named her grandmother, "Delilah." The character of by that name in the Bible was a bad woman. And they named Mama that! Mother signed her name most of the time as "D. E. McKay" on account of that name. Never the less, she said that her grandmother, Delilah, was one of the greatest of all women, and unexcelled with a bright mind and memory." (8) Marriage Bond: Anderson FREEMAN and Delila YARNELL, "Tennessee Records," Bible Records and Marriage Bonds, Compiled by Jeanette Tillotson Acklen, Clearfield Pub, p. 430. (9) Bureau of Land Management Records for PETTIPOOL and POOL (www.glorecords.blm.gov): William P. POOL, #MS0480_.035 Series MS NO S/N, Doc #6470, issued 1 Dec 1849, Claiborne Co, MS. William P. POOL, #MS0490_.405 Series MS NO S/N, Doc #7264, issued 10 May 1853, Claiborne Co, MS. William P. POOL, #MS0490_.405 Series MS NO S/N, issued 10 Oct 1853, 80.05 acres, Claiborne Co, MS Armstead PETTIPOOL #MS0540_.259 Series MS NO S/N, Doc # 10245, issued 1 Feb 1859, Claiborne Co, MS. (10) 850 US Census, Claiborne Co, Dist. 5, p 37, Stamped p. 144. Shows: Armstead P Pool, 56, Occ: Planter, Bir Pl: Va. Delilah " , 54, Bir Pl: Tenn Wm " , 30, Bir Pl: Tenn Lucinda " , 25, Bir. Pl: Tenn Sarah W " , 3 Bir Pl: Miss Elizabeth A " , 1 Bir Pl: Miss Stamped p. 145 shows: Joseph F. P Pool, 29 Occ: Planter, Bir Pl: Tenn Amanda " , 20, BirPl: Miss Ann L " , 6/12 Bir. Pl " Robt. " , 25 Bir Pl: Tenn Rebecca F " , 19 Bir Pl: Ala Mary J 16 Bir Pl: Ky Harriet A. 14 " Adeline F 10 Bir Pl: " Nancy C Freeman 20 Bir Pl: Tenn Christopher Marshall 72 (M) Occ: Teacher Bir Pl: England (11) More about Delilah MARBLE MCKAY from "Bogalusa Daily News", 28 Sep. 1954, article entitled "Mrs. McKay Recalls Early Life on Her 98th Birthday" "Mrs. McKay told us about her schooling days, which were not public as now, but private, and operated for a fee. "She related how the teacher punished the class by putting a dunce cap on the offender, making him stand on one foot on the recitation bench. "The routine impressed young Delilah Elizabeth, and when she got home she had to demonstrate to the family how punishment was meted. With a makeshift cap on her head and standing on one foot on a kitchen chair, she fell and broke her left arm at the elbow. She slowly pushed up the sleeve of her gown and showed me the bent left arm which healed crooked. And in doing this she smiled saucily, as if this were a badge of accomplishment, a bit of mischief left over from those childhood days nearly a century ago." File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ms/claiborne/history/letters/reflecti24gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/msfiles/ File size: 20.1 Kb