Possibilities: Mrs. Martha “Mattie” White Counted Twice On Censuses

 During my early search for Martha ” Mattie” White, I discovered that she was the sister of Isaac Blakey, John Blakey, Spencer White, and Richard White. She was the mother of Ella Bentley Carr.

Over the years, I discovered more about Martha “Mattie” through the censuses. I believe that she was counted twice on the 1880 and 1910 Missouri censuses. She was listed as a widow. She was the mother of five.

Her name was Martha White on the 1880 Missouri census. She was listed in the household of her mother, Julia White. Also listed with Martha, her 5 brothers;, Isaac, Spencer, John, David and Josh, sister in law, Rachel, 3 nieces; Mary age 8, Julia age 4 and Rebeca age 10 and 4 nephews; John age 10, Andrew age 6, Henry age 2 and Andrew age 2.

This information was recorded on page 10 of 19 on the 1880 census for Chariton township in Howard County Missouri. Martha was listed as a 18 year old widow. She was a laborer. Her parents were from Virginia.

On this 10th page of the1880 census, I noticed some things. What about Martha’s missing nephews? Isaac and Jordan, the twin of Julia. And where was her brother, Richard White? ~ Richard at age 13 , was a hired laborer, in the household of Daniel Boone White wife wife and family on page 9 of 19.

There’s a question about first Andrew at age 6. He was Isaac’s son. The John age 10 had a twin brother named Andrew. Their mother was Martha Scott who died in 1871. Who was this Andrew at age 6? Was John’s twin?. But, John was born in Mississippi along with Mary, Isaac, Jordan, Julia.

Note that the census taker or the person who gave some of the information in relationship to the head of household was incorrect. ~ Julia did have a son named Andrew.

On another 1880 Chariton township in Howard County Missouri on page 11 of 19. Martha was listed in the household of William Jackson and his wife and son. Martha was a 18 year old widow and a hired for housekeeping. Her parents were from Virginia.

Note that there was a Henry White, age 21, listed as hired laborer. His parents were from Virigina. Wondering, if this Henry was related to Martha? Did Julia have a son name Henry White?

The 1910 Chariton township Burton, Howard County Missouri census, on page 14 of 17 dated May 23 and 24, 1900. She was listed in the household of John BLAKE and his with Arrett. She was listed as Mattie White, age 46 a widow. She was the mother of 5 but, 4 were living. Her mother was from Virginia. Martha was a servant, a cook. ( John Blake was Mattie’s nephew. John was the son of Josh White.)

The other 1910 Chariton Township Chariton County, Missouri census was on page 2 of 22 dated on April 18, 1900. Her name was listed as Mattie White, age 46 ; head of household and a laundress at home. Her parents were listed from Missouri. She was the mother of 5 but 4 were living. On this census were her daughters, Ella White, age 24 and Oressia White, age 8.

List of Mrs. Martha “Matt” White’s 5 children, from the other censuses and sources.
Mr. Patrick “Pat” White (1882 -1906)
Ms Allice White (1884 – ? )
Mrs. Bob Ella (Bentley) Carr (1886 – 1923 )
Mrs. Anna Janie Lousie (Herfard) Wiley Nance (1888 – 1967)
Miss Oressia Herefore ( 1904 – 1976)

Oral history states that Martha Mattie” White passed on April 24, 1947. ~ I checked the Missouri death cerificate for the names of Martha White or Mattie White.in Chariton and Howard Couinties in Missouri. And I checked every Martha “Mattie” White in the State of Missouri. I couldn’t find her with the Bentley, Herefore or Hefard surnames either.

I have been searching for Mrs. Martha “Mattie” White in the newspapers. Is it possible that she passed in another State. I was wondering if she passed in Omaha, Nebraska. She was born about 1862.

Thank you for reading.
Possibilities Of Mrs. Martha “Mattie / Matt” White Counted Twice On Censuses
Martha / Mattie was listed as a widow. Could her husband carried the White surname too?

God bless you
S.A. Blakley
Great neice of Martha “Mattie” White

Posted on June 12, 2026 by Susan Ann Blakley on another website. 

Question the Records About Vic And Found Answers

 The death notice of Mr. Vic Reed was published in the Moberly Weekly Monitor in Moberly, Missouri  on Friday, August 27, 1915 on page 1. ~ I searched for his Missouri death certificate. I discovered that it was not there. I questioned the records and searched to find the answers.

From what I learned about Vic Reed.
Mr. Vic Reed at age 24 married Miss Ceola White at age 22 on Saturday, September 25, 1909 in Moberly. Missouri. He passed at his home at 222 North Ault Street in Moberly, Missouri. I couldn’t located him on any census as Vic Reed.

I wondered. So, I searched all the all the Vics and Victors in Randolph County for death certificate. Which one fits the date of death of Vic Reed which was on Thursday, August 26, 1915. I disccovered that Reed was not his surname on his death record. He was listed as Victor Palmer. His mother’s name was Dolly Roberts.

I searched for Vic Palmer on the 1900 Missouri census. And located him in Moberly, Randolph County. He was listed as a border, living in household of Jim Head at age 25. Ironically, there were other boarders listed. They were Henretta Reed at age 46 , and Lucy Reed at age 26, Albert Evans at age 9, Sodonia Head at age 4, Edward Head at age 2, and William Thorp ( Thorps) at age 1. Vic Palmer who was at age 12.

The informant on Vic Palmer’s death record was. Ledonia / Sodonia Davis. She was living in Moberly, Missouri. According to Sedonia’s obituary. Mrs. Sedonia Davis was born in Moberly Missouri on July 15, 1896 and passed on April 14, 1918 in Des Moines Iowa. She was the daughter of Lucille (Lucy Wilson) Head Latimore and Albert Latimore.

Henrietta Reed’s maiden name was Turner according to an Iowa marriage record of Lucy (Wilson) Head to Albert Latimore in 1934. James “Jim” Head was the son of Henry Head. James passed in 1915 in Moberly, Missouri. The informant of James’ death record was. Ledonia / Sodonia Davis. James’ mother was Ellen Williams Head Jones.

Thank you for reading.
 Question the Records About Vic And Found Answers
I wondered why Sodonia stated on Victor’s death record that his surname was Palmer? Vic went by the of Reed suranme. Perhaps his mother’s maiden name was Palmer and his father was Reed.

How am I connect to Vic?
His wife Ceola (White) Reed was the cousin to my Grandfather John Blakey Blakley.
Celoa’s father was Spencer White and John’s father Isaac White Blakey were brothers

God bless you
S.A. Blakley

Posted on May 9, 2026 by Susan Ann Blakley on another website.

A Spot on the Map: Forest Green, Chariton County Missouri

 During the mid 1970’s, I read an article entitled Slavery Descendants to Have First Reunion. This was the first time I heard of Forest Green, Missouri. It wasn’t untll decades later, when I discovered that the article was published in The Sioux City Journal Sioux City, Iowa on Saturday, August 28, 1971 on page 5. This was the day of the first family reunion.

Oral history states that Isaac Blakey convinced his family, who were living in Mississippi to move to Forest Green, Missouri. He said that it was a better place for them to live. Isaac became a free man, and later served during the Civil War in the Mississippi Union Army from (1863 – 1866) in Natchez.

It’s not known when Isaac came back to Missouri. Oral history states that he returned to New Orleans and found his family easily. His family included his mother, who was Julia, his brothers, Spencer, and Dick, who was Richard and sister Matt who was Martha “Mattie” They carried the White surname. The cropped photo was in the August 28, 1971 news article.

Forest Green, Missouri is a spot on the map. I searched for information about Forest Green, Missouri. And I made some new discoveries. I asked myself some questions.

Forest Green, Missouri is an unincorporated community in Chariton County, Missouri. The first house was built in 1820’s, by the Forest family A pioneer by the name of John Green Forest platted the town in 1873. The town is located approximately eight miles south of Salisbury, Missouri on Route 5.

In 1873, Isaac was livng in Wilkinson County, Mississippi. Where was John, the brother living during the late 1850’s – 1870’s? What was Forest Green called before it was platted by John Green Forest? Forest?

The article mentioned about the enslaved and the enslavers.
“When they arrived they were sold at slave auction like cattle and given a bill of sale. Slaves then took the slavemaster’s name. The two oldest brothers, Isaac 12 and John 10, were sold to a man by the name of Blakey and he took them to Forest Green, Missouri.” (The other enslavers’ name was White.)

If this Isaac was 12, the year would have been 1859. Isaac Blakey was born in Fayette, Missouri or Roanoke Missourii in 1845 or 1847. If this John was 10, that was he was born around 1859 in Missouri.

Who was the Blakey enslaver? He was most likely one of the enslavers’ son or male relative. John May Blakey was the husband of Frances (White) Blakey, both enslavers. John May Blakey passed on August 25, 1844. The other enslaver named White was most likely was related to Frances (White) Blakey.

Where did the Blakey enslavers lived in Missouri. The enslavers lived in Osage County, Missouri in 1835 where a son born in Missouri. They lived in Howard County Missouri in the 1837 – 60’s, most likely in Fayette, Howard County, Missouri. then in 1870’s in Roanoke, Howard Coutnty, Missouri.

Frances (White) Blakey’s father, John White had a plantation home and the family cemtery in Fayette, Missouri. At John White Cemetery: Who was buried there? John White , John May Blakey and Frances (White) Blakey and others.

Where did Isaac lived in Missouri, and where some of his children were born?
Isaac Blakey, also known as Isaac White Blakey and Priviate Isaac Blaker lived in Fayette, Howard County, Missouri, Shannondale, Chariton County, Missouri, Forest Green, Missouri, and Salisbury, Missouri. Some of Isaac’s children were born in Howard Chariton County in Missouri,, Shannondale, Chariton County Missouri, and in Forest Green, Chariton, County, Missouri.

Thanks for reading.
A Spot on the Map: Forest Green, Chariton County Missouri.
Some Blakey WHITE descendants still living in the area of Forest Green, Missouri.

God bless you
S.A. Blakley


Posted on August 28, 2026 by Susan Ann Blakley on  another webite

The Unexpected: Accident Of Mr. Archie T. Blakey

 Back Story: Archie Blakey was almost 12 when his mother Rachel passed in March of 1916. He was 13 when his father Isaac passed two days before Christmas Day in 1917. Archie’s brother Deacon Ollie “Deke” Blakey became his guardian.

According to the 1920 South Dakota census taken on January 13 and 14, 1920 , Ollie and his wife Margaret and Archie, a teenager were living in Yankton, South Dakota. Other Blakey family members moved there in 1905 and others followed afterward. Then sometime during 1920 or so, Arichie moved. He ended up in California.

On the 1927, Sacramento, California City directory; Archie Blakey was listed as working for the city garbage department ( He was a garbage man). Also in other directories / California voters’ listed him as a porter and a laborer. He was affiliated with the republican party.

Some of Archie’s family mermber came to California and later to Sacramento.
Lawhorn “Doc” Blakey, his brother moved there around 1928.
Ollie “Deke” Blakey and Margaret (Cason) Blakey moved there around 1932.

Archie’s sister Edna Mae (Blakey) Jackson Bentley with her husband Richard Bentley and her sons Edward “Clem” Jackson Jr. and Emerson Thomas Jackson in 1936. They moved about three months after Edna’s son Archie Jackson / Bentley passed in Yanton at the age of 15 .

An Unexpected Accident of Archie T. Blakey:
One day Archie was working on anautomobile and ended up in the Sacramento hospital for “treatment of burns he said were received when a can of gasoline caught fire as he cleaned some spark plugs.” ~ The news clip was published in The Sacramento Union Sacramento, California  on Sunday, June 20, 1943 on page 9.

Another news clip stated that Archie “was sent to the Sacramento Hospital for the treatment of severe burns on both legs suffered while he was cleaning spark plugs with gasoline” This information was published in The Sacramento Bee Sacramento, California on Tuesday, June 22, 1943 on page 4.

Then five months later, another news cilp was published in The Sacramento Union Sacramento, California  on Tuesday, November 30, 1943 on page 10. It was the news of Archie’s passing. and funeral notice. He was an employee of the city waste removal department in Sacramento.

I didn’t expect to discover this sad news. This was horrible tradgey.
Archie passed way to soon.
.
Archie T. Blakey (1904 – 1943)
On Archie’s obituary (and news clips), there was no memtion if he was married nor if he had children. His survivors were his siblings: Ollie Blakey, Lawhorn Blakey, Mrs. Edna Bentley all of Sacramento, Isaac Blakey, Henry Blakey, Spencer Blakey and Mrs Mary Green all of South Dakota and, Jordan Blakey of Michigan.

The 1943 obituray mentioned that Archie lived in Sacramento for 24 years. So, he came to California about 1919 or 1920. He was a teenager.

According to California City Directories / Censuses:. Archie Blakey was married to Flora in 1927 and the 1930 ; Census states that the year 1926. Then on the 1933 city directory, Archie was married to Geniva and then to Velma according to the 1940 Calfornia census.

Archie was a brother, a brother in law, an uncle, a cousin, a friend and an ex- husband. I believe that he had a son named Archie Thomas Blakey Jr and a daughter named Flora Stella Blakey by Flora. And Archie was the stepfather to Flora’s other children, Laura Blakey, Clarence Ollie Blakey, and Verna Blakey. Archie was a stepfather to Velma’s son Robert Ellis.

Archie was the youngest child of the former enslaved Isaac Blakey and Rachel (Lephridge / Jackson) Blakey. He was born on Friday, May 13, 1904 in Shannondale, Chariton County Missouri  He was one of 18 children of Rachel.~ Archie passed on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 25, 1943 at the age of 39. God rest his soul.

One of Archie’sgreat nieces shared with me that Archie loved going to the rodeos.
Archie was the brother of my Grandfather John Blakey Blakley.
Their father was Civil War veteran Private Isaac Blakey (1845 – 1917)

Thank you for reading.
The Unexpected: Accident Of Mr. Archie T. Blakey
Rest In Peace, Great Uncle Archie

God bless you.
S.A. Blakley

Posted on May 23, 2026 by Susan Ann Blakley on another website.

What The Census Suggest : Isaac Blakey’s Household in 1900

 What did the 1900 Census, the census suggested for…

the household of Isaac Blakey and his wife Rachel Blakey and their eight children?

Isaac Blakey was the head of household, listed as a black male, Born in January of 1845, Age 55, His parents were from Missouri. Married for 33 years; married in 1867. He able to read, write and speak English. He was a farmer and was farm owner.

Rachel Blakey, Isaac’s wife listed as black female, Born in December of 1859, Age 45, Born in Missouri. Married for 33 years , married in 1867, Her parents were from Missouri. She was the mother of 16 children, 10 living at the time of the census. She was not able to read or write but spoke English.

Henry Blakey, son listed as a black male, Born in August of 1881, Single, Born in Missouri, his parents from Missouri, He not able to read or write but spoke English.

1900 United States Federal Census taken on June1 18, 1900. not able read or write, Parents from Missouri., Older children were able to read and write and all spoke English.

Turner, son was listed as a black male, born in May of 1884, age 16.
Beecher, son was listed as a black male, born in October of 1885, age 14.

Susie, daughter, listed as a black female, born in March of 1888, age 12.
Kate, daughter was listed as a black female born in July 1889 age 8.

Maggie, daughter was listed as a black female, born in October of 1891, age 8.
David, son was listed as a black male, born in April of 1897, age 3.

From other sources: List of children and their names, date of birth and years

Henry was Henry Blakey. He was listed on the 1880 Missouri census that was taken on June 6, 1880. He was born on February 4, 1880.

Turner was Spencer Turner Blakey. He was born on July 15, 1887.
Beecher was Beecher Blakey He was born in October of 1885. Little is known of him.

Susie was Lillie (Blakey) Hayes. She was born on March 14, 1888.
Kate was unknown. Only mentioned on the 1900 Missouri. Maybe a nickname.
Maggie was Martha (Blakey) Hayes born in Sept of 1889. Maggie was her nickname.

David was unknown. Maybe David was the nickname of Ollie.
Ollie wasn’t listed with the family on the 1900 census, but was on the 1910. David was not.
Nor was the son Isaac Blakey wasn’t listed with the family in 1900.
This Isaac married Maggie Williams on September 15, 1900.
Maggie was the daughter of John Williams and Susan (Heard) Williams.

From other sources:
The parents their names, date of birth and years.

Isaac Blakey was born in Missouri in 1845, his parents were from Virginia . He couldn’t read or write. He spoke english. He married Rachel Lewfew in July of 1873. Isaac was married to Martha Scott in 1870. She passed a year later. The year 1867 is a mystery.

Richel (Lephridge / Jackson) Blakey was born on February 16, 1857 in Mississippi. Her parents were from Mississippi. She was the mother of 18 children.

Thank you for reading.
What The Census Suggest : Isaac Blakey’s Household in 1900.

How am I connected?
I’m one of Isaac Blakey’s great granddaughters through his son, John Blakey Blakley

God bless you.
S.A. Blakley

Posted on February 11, 2026 by Susan Ann Blakley on onther website.

Lost Contacts With Family Connections

 Lost contacts with family connections is one pattern that I’ve come across. We should wonder whatever became of our relatives? They just don’t up and disappear. If we are curious, we would start searching. Family members are more then just names.

I wondered about Alberta (White) Morris. She moved to Los Angeles , California around 1920 with her husband Alexander “Alex” Morris ( 1887 – 1961) and 7 of 10 children. I started searching for information about Alberta and her family. I discovered that she kept in contact with her relatives.

I came across a news clip that was published in The Call Kansas City, Missouri  on Friday, August 19, 1938 on page 17. Who’s who in the news clip? They were four siblings.

Reverend Thomas Alphonsy White and his wife Mrs. Mary Lee (Tooley) White.
Reverend T.A’s. sisters, Alberta (White) Morris of Los Angeles, California. and Mrs. Hattie (White) Jackson of Kansas City, Missouri . Their brother Mr. Hester Boyd White.

Who was Alberta? Alberta (White) Morris was the daughter of Richard White and Jane Ferguson White. She was one of 15 children. She was born on Friday, April 1, 1892 in Missouri. She married Alexander “Alex” Morris in Missouri in 1910. Alberta was the mother of 10 children.

Laura Belle (Gunn) Porter (1909 – 1985)

William Richard Morris (1911 – 1963)
Margaret Morris Driver (1912 -1990)
Thomas “Tom” Morris (1913 – 1963)

Daisy Mae (Morris) Hill (1916 – 1988)
Samiel Merel Morris (1917 – 1960)
Robert Milo Morris (1918 – 1978)

Daniel Morris (1920 – 1979)
Russell / Roscoe Morris (1922 – 1995)
Alfred Johnnie Morris (1923 – 1989)

I wondered about Hester Boyd White: (1913 – 1968). I searched and discovered more about him. I have a DNA match with one of his descendants. I hope to discover more about Alberta’s lineage. I believe that her descendants still live in Los Angeles, California area. Magraret (Morris) Jones Driver and Laura Belle (Gunn) Porter had chldren. Maybe some will discover this blog..

Alberta ( Berite) Morris passed on Thursday. November 30, 1944 in Los Angeles California at the age of 52. May she rest in peace.

Thanks for reading.
Lost Contacts With Family Connections

How are Alberta and her siblings related to me?
Richard “Dick” White’s brother was my Great Grandfather Isaac White Blakey.
.
God bless you.
S.A. Blakley

 Posted on March 27, 2026 by Susan Ann Blakley on another site. 

A Record That Adds Color: Isaac Blakey’s Penison Records

 Civil War Pension records can be like a treasure chest. In 1983, I received my copy of my Great Grandfather Isaac Blakey. He was also known as Private Isaac BLAKER. Though the years, I would re read the records. The documents allowed Isaac’s life to come alive.

What’s so amazing about Isaac’s pension records? What he said about himself, his life, spouses and children was recorded. I believe he had a good memory and was a forgiving person. Isaac’s friends, family and former enslavers testifify on his behalf to prove that he was the Isaac BLAKER who severed in the Civil War.

Isaac’s Testimonies: He testified that he couldn’t read nor write and that his name was Isaac BLAKEY. He spoke of his wound. that happened during the Spring of 1864, he said that he was wounded in his left leg by a bayonet. He stated that the wound had been a running sore since the accident. Isaac served his duties until he was honorable discharged on May 13, 1866.

The photo Civil War Injury in 1864 • Natchez, Adams, Mississippi, USA . It was during the Spring of 1864, Isaac was wounded in the left knee by a bayonet.

Medical Records: His health, blood pressure, etc Isaac was between 5′ 9 1/2″ to 5′ 11″ and his weight was between 175 to 185 during the time he was examined… 45 to his 50’s. There was detail description of his scars in the records.

Colored photo was giving to me by Bernice Alexander Bennett that I cropped this photo.

What I discovered about Isaac Blakey.
Isaac Blakey was born into slavery in Howard County Missouri around the year 1845. He was the son of the formerly enslaved Andrew White Sr. and Julia (Finney) White. Some of their enslavers were John May Blakey, Frances (White) Blakey.

Isaac was enslaved and later gained his freedom as a teenager. He joined the Civil War on November 1, 1863. He served in the Mississippi Union Army from (1863 – 1866). He served in U.S. Colored Troops. His units were 6th, 5th, and 2nd U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery Company H. He was honorable discharged on May 13, 1866.

Former enslavers names were listed on Isaac’s pension records. Y.C. Blakey, and Dr. W C. Harvery.

General Affidavit of Yelverton Coward “Y. C.” Blakey age 65. He was speaking about Isaac Blakey. (Y. C. was the son of John May Blakey) and Frances (White) Blakey. Proof that Isaac and his family were enslaved.

Y.C. Blakey stated that he didn’t met up again with Isaac until 1898. Isaac was a teenager when he left the Blakey home. He would have been 53 years old when he met up with Y.C.~ Y. C. was satisfied that Isaac was who he said he was.

Some thoughts about Isaac: from his pension records
Isaac wrestled and played marveled while in the Civil War.
He was a worshiper of God.
He was a deacon in the church.

In Loving Memory of Isaac BLAKEY
 Private Isaac BLAKER (1845 – 1917)

Isaac was born enslaved and lived through it.
He became a freeman as a teenager  
He witness the changes in American History.
He was a disabled American veteran.
Isaac sung too America..

Thank you for reading
A Record That Adds Color: Isaac Blakey’s Pension Records.

God bless
S.A. Blakley