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.

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

What This Story Means To Me: My Family Connections

 In the beginning, I didn’t know much about my father David’s ancestors. It wasn’t until someone gave me a copy of this article “Slavery Descendants to Have First Reunion” in the mid 1970’s. And I held on to that article. (The information in the article led me on a journey. I began a 12 part Blog Series to uncover what I could. )

Decades later, I discovered that the article was published on page 5 in The Sioux City Journal Sioux City, Iowa on Saturday, August 28, 1971. This was the day of the Blakey White Family reunion. The crop photo is from that article.

It’s horrible that my ancestors were enslaved and sold as property. Their names were place in a Glasgow, Missouri a 1858 advertisement . (Isaac Blakey went south and joined the Mississippi Union Army in 1863.)

I’m not for when the enslaved family had their first reunion after being separated. Isaac searched for his family. He located in New Orleans. The family moved to Forest Green, Missouri.

Still to this day, I wonder about the mother and her 5 children who came to New Orleans on a ship.  I did find a record of a  Julia White listed on a record in 1843. She came on a ship called Orleans from Petersburg to New Orleans. She was 23 years old, born about 1823.

Why did the article led me on a journey?
There were some things in the article that did match up with documents and records. I wasn’t out to disprove what was in the article. My aim was to verify what oral history stated. My first blog was posted on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 and ended on Friday, February 1, 2013.

I discovered more information by searching each of the names, places and dates..Example: Julia White and her six children, seven grandchildren and one daughter in law were listed in the same house on the 1880 Missouri census in Chariton County. (And Julia had other children.)

Since 2013, I have discovered more on my Blakey WHITE Family Connections, as well on my other family connections. Searching want to connect with their long lost relatives. I have had many searchers contacted me or I them via internet. (DNA is a good tool to use. )

Thank you for reading,
What This Story Means To Me: My Family Connections

My 2nd Great Julia (Finney) White was the wife of Andrew White. Both were from Virginia.
I’m one of their descendants. from the branch of Isaac Blakey and Martha (Scott) Blakey

God bless you,
S.A. .Blakley

Similarities Between The Family Connections

 The news clip is from the Call Kansas City, Missouri; in the Forest Green, Missouri section. It was published on Friday, June 22, 1951 on page 19.

Who’s who in the news clip?

Mr. Ollie “Deke” Blakey was the son of Isaac White Blakey and Rachel ( Lephridge / Jackson) Blakey. Mrs., Ollie Blakey was also known as Margaret “Aunt Mike” (Cason) Blakey, She was the daughter of Mrs. Grace Harriet “Gracey” (Cason) Cason and Herbert Cason and they had three children: Mabel Cason, Lephridge Cason. and Margaret (Cason) Blakey.

Isiah / Isaac White, Julia White, and Mrs. Corneluis / Cornelia Woods were sibling .Their parents were Laura (Paige) White and Andrew Jackson White. They had 6 children; Mariah White, Julia Ann” July “White, Isaac “Isaiah” White, Cornelia Louise (White) Wood , Wedian B. White and William Spencer White.

Coincident Or Not
Isaac White Blakey’s parents were Julia (Finney) White. and Andrew White.
On the 1880 census for Chariton County Missouri. an Isaac White age 80 and Andrew White, 30, Laura 25, Mariah, July, A. and Isaac; all with the White surname..

Then after Isaac White’s household on that census, there was the household of Julia White, a widow and Isaac, 30 and Rachel 29,, John, Mary, Andrew, Julia, Henry, Spencer, John, David , Josh, Rebecca, Martha and Andrew; all with the White surname.

I believe that there were some connection in these families. I wish the person who reported these stories would have added a little more about he people. The Blakey and White families lived in the Forest Green Missouri area.

Thanks for reading.
Similarities Between The Family Connections

Who am I related to this news story?
Ollie “Deke” Blakey was the brother of my Grandfather John Blakey Blakley. Their father was Isaac White Blakey. Oral history has it that Andrew Jackson White was Isaac’s brother.

God bless you
S.A. Blakley

Posted on October 25, 2025 by Susan Ann Blakley on another site

Searching For Info on Mrs. Martha (Scott) Blakey

 I’m hoping to discover more leads on Martha (Scott) Blakey. What do I know about her ? First of all, I discovered that she was my paternal great grandmother. I’ve learned some things about her from her husband Isaac BLAKLEY / BLAKER’s pension records.

While On My Search
I found a Mississippi marriage record on a Martha SCOTT who married a Isaac BAKER in February of 1870. The married took place in Wilkerson County, Mississippi. I believe that they were Isaac and Martha. Isaac’s surname while he enlisted into the Civil War was BLAKER.

According to Isaac Blakey’s pension records, Martha passed on Hew Davis’ Plantation. I can assume that Martha died after giving birth to her twins sons, John BLAKEY who was my Grandfather John BLAKEY (1871 – 1918). and Andrew BLAKEY (1871-1871). Isaac knew Martha about a year before she passed.

The twins were born on Wednesday, June 21, 1871 on Hew Davis Plantation, in Woodlong, Wilkerson County, Mississippi. I’m assuming that Martha would been about 23 or 24 years old.

Photo of the list of information of Martha ‘with the names of her twin sons. The date on the document was July 28, 1915. Isaac had to list the names of his first wife Martha and his children by her.. Isaac was married to Rachel (Jackson / Lephridge ) Blakey and the names of his children by her were listed.

I still wonder about Martha. I have questions. Who were Martha’s parents? Who were her siblings? How did Martha met my Great Grandfather Isaac?

Martha Scott was born about 1847 in Mississippi. That’s where she met my Great Grandpa, Isaac BLAKEY (1845-1917). That was about a year or so after they were married.in 1870 in Wilkinson County, MS.

Perhaps, Great Grandma Martha was enslaved on Hew Davis Plantation or worked there after slavery. Great Grandpa Isaac somehow came to where Great Grandma Martha was or perhaps he was there working too. He was a Mississippi. Union Private during the Civil War from 1863 -1866 station in Natchez Adams County Mississippi..

My questions and assumptions can go on and on. Even though, I don’t know much about my Great Grandma Martha, she was apart of my family lineage. I’m thankful to be one of her offsprings.

May those who search for their ancestors continue on the journey. May what we don’t know about them keep us to keep moving forward. May we see some kind of answers to the questions we seek, some day in time. Amen.

This blog was edited from the original blog Who Was Martha (Scott) Blakey?

Thanks for reading.
Searching For Info on Mrs. Martha (Scott) Blakey ~ Brick Wall
Rest In Heaven Great Grandmother Martha

God bless,
S.A. Blakley

Posted on March 13, 2025 by Susan Ann Blakley on another website 

Mrs. Mary White Harris: Any Family Connections?

I was going through my Great Grandfather Isaac Blakey’s Civil War pension records. I came across the names of George Harris and Joseph Harries. I started searching for them. I found out that they were brothers.

The photo is a copy of general affidavit from Isaac Blakey’s pension claim records. It was dated on May 30, 1892. Isaac was 46 and he needed two witnesses to verify that his name was Isaac Blakey. .

I discovered that George’s and Joseph’s father was Abram / Abraham Harris. Then I began a search for Abram Harris. I discovered that Abram Harriss married a Mary White on November 20, 1870 in Chariton County, Missouri.

I search the 1880 Missouri census records for Mary Harris and located her with her husband Abram.. She was born in Missouri around 1850. I couldn’t find anything else about her..

.I discovered that Joseph Harris was listed on the 1920 and 1930 Missouri censuses living in the household of a Mrs. Mattie White. Wondering, if there was a connection between Joseph and Mattie? Mattie’s daughter Miss Oressia Herefore was the informant on Joseph / Joe Harris’ 1949 death certificate. And Mattie White was the sister of Isaac Blakey. Isaac’s name was Isaac White. However, he choose the surname BLAKEY.

Oh, the wonder of how they could have been related. Joseph married a Irene Hayes. She had a daughter name Laura Belle Boone. Laura’s father was William Spencer White. And William’s father was Andrew Jackson White. Andrew was said to have been the brother of Isaac and Mattie. Hmm!

Thanks for reading.
Mrs. Mary White Harris: Any Family Connections?

God bless
S.A. Blakley

  Posted on March 19, 2025 by Susan Ann Blakley on  another website. 

When And Where Did It Begin? In The Beginning.

 I can't recall when I read the article Slavery Descendants to Have First Reunion. It wasn't to far after my maternal Grandmother Mary (Allen) Lankford / Lankfard. passed on Friday November 7, 1975. The family name was spelled BLAKEY in the article. I ask my father about it. He said that he was taught to spell his surname BLAKLEY. 

As I look back on my quest, I wouldn't have imagine that this article being one of the stepping stone in my journey. And those names I asked:. Who were these people? I searched to discover more about them. 

As I pondered about my genealogy journey: I was wondering. What really sparked my interest? I believe that it happened well before I began my six grade class assignment at Mark Twain Elementary School. Each student had an oral presentation to present to the class about our family history.

It was a special thing. I even remember wearing red. I told my audience that I was one of nineteen children; we have the same mother and father. And that we had Indian blood in us. (I recall that the principle came to listen in.)

In 1976, I was watching TV and I heard about the book “Roots” written by Alex Haley was going to be made into a mini series in 1977. I was excited and wanted to see that. And so I did.

I started asking my mother Lula and my father David questions about their ancestors. I started looking at old family photos. I started reading books about how to search our roots. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into.

In my beginning years, I didn’t know what I was searching for. I didn’t about the facts nor dates of my ancestors. As I continue to keep searching and compiling what I could, I obtained information . This data was showing me who my relatives were. And since the beginning, I’ve been uncovering more about my ancestors as I go along the way…

Thanks for reading.
When And Where Did My Journey Begin? In The Beginning
a seed was planted and it began to grow and grow and grow into something amazing.

God bless
S.A. Blakley
.
Week 1 ~ Amy Johnson Crow’s #52Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge for 2025

This week’s theme is “In the Beginning.” (According to “The Sound of Music,” the beginning is a very good place to start.) Who was the first person you wanted to find when you started your genealogy journey? Was there a family member who sparked your interest, maybe by giving you a bunch of genealogy “stuff”? This would be a great week to write about them!

Who was the first person you wanted to find when you started your genealogy journey?

Isaac Blakey, because he was in the Civil War. I received his pension records in the early 1980’s. What a treasure this is. 

Was there a family member who sparked your interest, maybe by giving you a bunch of genealogy “stuff”?

I wrote about this in my last blog for December of  2024. I believe it was what my parents told me and that I wanted to know more about what they knew.

Homestead: On My Blakey WHITE Family Connections

 Where Was The Homestead?

As I grew in years, I became curious about where my ancestors originated from. I asked some relatives. And they said, Africa, But still, I wondered even more.

Where did my ancestors come from?
It’s not known were my early ancestors they came from or traveled in their days in America.. Some ancestors on my 2nd great grandparents; on his father’s father’s side came from Virginia. They were the enslaved in the United States of America. They were later brought to Missouri. There were some ancestors were taken to Mississippi during the late 1858 to 1860’s .

Eventually, the family moved back to Chariton and Howard Counties in Missouri circa 1880’s where some family members were living. Some of the ancestors choose to remain in the Forest Green, Missouri area. While some of their descendants began to move northward and westward near and after the 1900’s. And some descendants moved throughout the United States as years and decades past.

I posted a blog series about the article: Slavery Descendants to Have First Reunion. This one I wrote January 23, 2013. It was part 6 in a series of 12 blogs. I have updated some of what I have discovered through the years.

They found worked on farms. And lived in Forest Green, Missouri area.
They kept their own surnames. White and Blakey.
They were employed and made their homes in Forest Green, MO.

Where did they work? As farmer or as farm hands?
Some owned their land. Some worked on a tobacco farm.

What names did each family member take?
The mother in this article was unknown but was found in 1989.
Her name was Julia.

What names did each family member take?

Andrew WHITE, the father wasn’t mentioned the the article. He was born around 1818 in VA.
His name was mentioned on three of son’s death certificates. And a enslaved Ad in 1858.

Julia (Finney) WHITE, the mother .She was born around 1820 in Virginia.
She was the mother of 11 or 12. She was said to have passed in Forest Green, Missouri.

Isaac BLAKEY, (1845 – 1917)
He passed in Shannondale, Missouri. He was married twice. He was the father of 20.

Spencer WHITE ( 1852 – 1929)
He moved to Moberly, Randolph Missouri and passed there. He was the father of 3.

John WHITE (1858 – 1918)
The article stated that John carried the Blakey surname. He passed in Salisbury, Missouri.
His surname was WHITE. He was the father of 11.

Josh WHITE He was born in 1860. It’s not known when he passed.
He had daughters and a son John BLAKE.

Martha “Matt” or “Mattie” WHITE (1862 – 1947)
She was said to have passed in Forest Green, Missouri. There is no death certificate of her in Missouri with the name Mattie / Martha White. She was the mother of 5.

Richard “Dick” WHITE (1866 – 1946)
He passed in Glasgow, Missouri,. He was the father of 13.

It appears that Isaac was the only one in this family that choose the BLAKEY surname. Why? Not for sure. Perhaps that was the name he used when he enlisted into the Civil War in 1863. Isaac kept the surname. However, Isaac did use the WHITE surname at some time.

Perhaps Isaac was with the BLAKEYs for a 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 Julia, Did she have other children? Yes. She had about 11 or 12 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” Martha WHITE never married. As I searched for Mattie White, I came up with her as a widow at 18 year old. She was the mother of 5 children. (It’s sad that this information was lost through the years.)

The big mystery to this part of the article:
Who was the great grandmother? Was the writer in this article speaking of Ted Blakey’s great grandmother? The mother of the enslaved  or the mother’s husband, Andrew’s mother?

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

It’s good if we have the opportunity to visit some of the places where our ancestors once lived. Perhaps, we should do some research to find where our family history began. We as their descendants are the story teller of our ancestors.

We are living out the family history. My family connections journey began during the mid 1970’s . And I continue to search as long as I can.

May we continue on the journey to know who our ancestors were. May we leave a legacy for the next generations to come May we see that what we do will impact our future.

Thanks for reading.
Homestead: On My Blakey WHITE Family Connections

I posted a blog like this on  April 24, 2020. I edited this one and made updates during August and September of 2024. I did take the DNA test. It was interesting: Nigeria!.

This blog was posted on one of my other sites. 
 I added the In Memory of some members in  Blakey Blakley WHITE Family Connections
to this blog. 

Peace be with you
God bless you.
S.A. Blakley

Week 39 ~ Amy Johnson Crow’s #52Ancestors in 52 Weeks Challenge in 2024

The theme for Week 39 is “Homestead.” Is there a home you think of when you think of your ancestors? For me, it’s my Grandma’s tiny post-WWII era house that somehow fit all of the extended family on Christmas. What does “homestead” make you think of?

In Memory Of Martha Scott Blakey

 I wish that there was more information about Martha (Scott) Blakey

Who was Martha? She was my father’s grandmother.

Martha was from Mississippi. Her birth year could have been between 1846 – 1852. Her parents are unknown. Only what’s known about her was found in a few records. Here’s what can be said about her.

It was in Mississippi, where Martha met her future husband, the Civil War veteran Isaac BLAKEY (1845 – 1917. He was also known as Private Isaac BLAKER. They knew each other a few years before they were married on February 13, 1870 in Wilkinson County Mississippi on Hew Davis Plantation. Their names were recorded as Isaac BAKER and Martha SCOTT. (She was Isaac’s first wife.)

Isaac and Martha could have met around 1867 or 1868 on Hew Davis Plantation. This would be the time span of three years that Isaac knew Martha before she passed in 1871. (Isaac’s second wife was Rachel (JACKSON / LEPHRIDGE) BLAKEY (1857 – 1916)

Martha and Isaac had twin sons. Their names were John BLAKEY and Andrew BLAKEY. They were born on June 21, 1871. John BLAKEY (1871 – 1918) was my grandfather. He later changed his surname to BLAKLEY.



According to Isaac’s pension files, Martha passed in Woodville Mississippi. She mostly died due to complications while giving birth to her sons in June of 1871. ~ Martha; gone to soon.

Martha passed at Hew Davis Plantation. (I wonder if the name was Hugh Davis.)



The Mystery of Martha
I can’t locate Isaac or Martha on the 1870 in Mississippi. Nor can I locate Isaac’s mother, Julia WHITE and siblings in Natchez, Mississippi. I continue to search. T. I have tried different surnames. BLAKEY, BLAKER, BAKER, WHITE and SCOTT. Though Martha left to soon, I believe that there is more about her

Thanks for reading. (Repost from word press site)
In Memory Of Martha Scott Blakey: Gone To Soon ~ #52Ancestors Week 9 In 2023

Photos: Documents from Isaac BLAKEY’s pension files.

Blakey Blakley WHITE Family Connections: In Memory  For June

Thanks for reading

Blessings,
S.A. Blakley 


Week 9 ~ Amy Johnson Crow #52Ancestors In 52 Weeks Challenge

The theme for Week 9 is “Gone Too Soon.” How much time is enough? Just a little bit more…  This week is a good time to write about someone who you’d like to have a little (or a lot) more time with.

Same Name Isaac Blakey

Isaac Blakey Jr, farmer, dog catcher, hunter

There are a lot of same name relatives in my Blakey WHITE Family connection. When we speak of Isaac Blakey, we have to add more to what we are saying. 

Isaac Blakey,  Sr
(1845 – 1917)
He was a farmer,
Enslaved in Missouri.
Received his freedom.
Civil War Veteran
Private Isaac Blaker

Isaac Blakey  II.
(1874 ca – 1971)
He was a farmer
Dog catcher
Hunter

Isaac Blakey   III
(1916 – 1985)
“He was a salesman extraordinary , raised dogs, and was a coon hunter, manufactured molasses from cane sugar he raised, was a butcher, and a church leader– lay preacher and singer.”

The other Isaac Blakeys are living.

I found some articles on Isaac Blakey, the hunter.

Isaac Blakey Jr. loved hunting.
He would go hunting with Clark Gable.
Mr. Gable was the actor in “Gone With The Wind”.

Thanks for reading.
Same Name: Week 6 

 Same Name; Isaac Blakey #52Ancestors 52 Weeks

Posted on February 7, 2020 by Susan Ann Blakley on another blog site.

Issac Blakey Sr. was my Great Grandfather.
Here’s a blog of my same name relatives.


May In Remembrance Blakey Blakley WHITE Family Connection

God Bless you.
S.A. Blakey

I’d Like To Meet My Great Grandfather Isaac Blakey

Why would I like to meet my Great Grandfather Isaac Blakey?

First of all, I’m one of his great granddaughters. And out of all my earlier ancestors and relatives, he’s the most, in which I’ve written about with documentation. I have discovered so much about him through the years.

How did I become interested in my Great Grandfather Isaac?

On Saturday, October 31, 1981, I was visiting some family members in Yankton, South Dakota to hear more about our family history. I was told by my cousin, Mary Jane (Blakey) Ligthner that Isaac was my great grandfather. This was a surprise to me because I had thought that he was my great uncle. This made things more interesting.

Then I began to search for information on my Great Grandfather Isaac and discovered more about him through his pension records and through documents about his health. Isaac, as a teenager and a freeman enlisted into the Civil War. And after the War, he lived out his freedom for at least 54 more years.




I will share the clearer photo of Isaac Blakey in week two. The theme is Favorite Photo.

Here’s a brief introduction about Isaac Blakey.

Isaac Blakey was born in 1845 in Howard County, Missouri. He the son of Andrew White and Julia (Finney) White from Virginia. Isaac was rise as pone of the enslaved in Missouri and was separated from his family between 1858 to 1861. It was about the time in 1861 when Isaac and his mother. were sold and they went south. Oral history states that Isaac ran away to join the Civil War.

It was on Sunday, Nov 1, 1863, Isaac, at the age of about 16, enlisted as Private Isaac Blaker in Natchez, Mississippi. He was stationed in Natchez, Mississippi with Company H. Regiment 2, 5, and 6, Untied States Colored Heavy Artillery.

It was during the Spring on 1864, Isaac was accidently wounded by a bayonet to his left leg. His wound was a running sore since that day. He was honorable discharged on Sunday, May 13, 1866.

My why to why I’d Like To Meet My Great Grandfather Isaac who lived on the earth from 1845 – 1917. Although, in a way, I feel as though I have already met him while I’ve been searching for him through his paper trail.

And I believe that Great Grandfather Isaac and I will meet face to face in person some day in heaven along with all our other relatives. (I believe that Isaac did called upon Jesus as his Lord and Savoir. I have called upon Jesus as well.)

What would I ask my Great Grandfather Isaac?
I gave this some thought. Then again, I have so many questions to asked him. Still again, I see the most important thing to do, would be to meet him. I don’t want to drill him with questions. But, I see that as in meeting him as my great grandfather would be an honor in itself.

If could ask a few questions, I would ask him: How did he make the transition from being in bondage since as an enslaved child to his freedom years in his teen years through the rest of his life on earth ? And what can he share about his life and his ancestors?

This was an interesting theme to ponder. I did something like this in September of 2010 and December of 2015 with the title If I Could Choose (Repost With Updated Information. ) I did ask some questions in those years. But, this time around. I feel the want to meet him is the most honorable thing to say.

Thanks for reading
I’d Like To Meet My Great Grandfather Isaac Blakey

God bless
S.A. Blakley

I’d Like To Meet My Great Grandfather Isaac Blakey #52Ancestors ~ Week One In 2023 

Posted on January 5, 2023 by Susan Ann Blakley on word press 

 I’d Like To Meet is the theme for week one from Amy Johnson Crow’s Generations Café #52Ancestors in 52 Weeks challenge for 2023.

Prompt for this theme: “Most of us have an ancestor who we’d like to meet (even if it’s to ask, “What are your parents’ names?”) This week, write about that ancestor or why you’d want to meet him or her. Feel free to be creative! (And feel free to leave your links and stories in the comments!)” Amy Johnson Crow

Extended Family: Julia White’s Household In 1880

 Welcome to 20 Twenty Three! 

I  hope to make new discoveries this year.

Thanks for reading.
May God bless you and protect you and your family throughout the year.

Peace
S.A. Blakley 

In Remembrance Blakey Blakley WHITE Family Connections: January 

Extended Family: Julia White’s Household In 1880  

I was thinking about the household of my 2nd Great Grandmother, Julia (Finney) WHITE. She was listed as a 60 year old widow on the1880 Missouri Federal Census with her 6 children, a daughter in law and 7 grandchildren. Her children were Isaac (White) BLAKEY, age 30 and her children who carried the WHITE surname were Spencer, age 28, John, age 26, David, age 22, Josh, age 20 and Martha, age 18 who was a widow with no children. The siblings were all laborers.

The crop photo listed below is of the1880 Federal United States Census for Chariton County Missouri for the household of Julia White. Some of this information was incorrect. And some of this information got me pondering.

I even wonder who was the person who gave the census taker the information? I don’t think Julia was the one. Why was some of the grandchildren’s identified as her children? And her daughter in law was her daughter? All had the WHITE surname?



The others listed in Julia’s household were Isaac’s wife, Rachel, age 29 who was the mother of Mary, age 8, (? son Andrew, age 6), Julia, age 4 and Henry, age 2. Isaac’s son, John, age 10 was by Martha (Scott) Blakey who was Isaac’s first wife.

There were some unknown grandchildren listed; Who were they ?
The grandchildren; Rebecca, age 10, mulatto and Andrew White, age 2.
Their parents weren’t listed on the census.

Who was the first Andrew age of 6 , born about 1873?
Did Rachel and Isaac have a son named Andrew?
Isaac had a son named Andrew by Martha.
That Andrew was he twin of John born in Mississippi in 1871.

Who was the last Andrew age of 2; born about 1878?
He doesn’t appear to be the child of any of the adult listed.
His name is listed after Martha.

Who was Rebeca’s Virginian parents?
This suggest that Julia had a child in Virginia..
It appears that Julia was caring for her grandchild.
Where both of Rebeca’s parents deceased?

There were two of Julia’s grandchildren who were not listed:
Isaac BLAKEY Jr. who was born either in 1873 or 1877 in Mississippi..
Jordan BLAKEY who was the twin of Julia. They were born in Mississippi in 1878.
It appears that the first Andrew could have been Isaac and the 2nd one was Jordan?

And what more of a mystery of the household of Isaac WHITE.?
This is the family unit listed above Julia White’s household in 1880.

I think that they are most likely related to Julia as an in laws and a child and grandchildren.
Julia had a son named Andrew White. (Isaac was born in 1845).
The Andrew White age about 30 is said to have been Isaac Blakey’s brother.
The Isaac White age 80 was perhaps the grandfather of Andrew.

What about Julia’s youngest son, Richard White?
He wasn’t listed with her household.
I was wondering where he was.
I believe that I located him with the household of Daniel WHITE.

Richard was 13 years old and a farmhand living not to far from Julia.
Daniel White was the brother of the former slave owners of Julia White and her family.
Daniel’s sister was Frances (WHITE) BLAKEY.

Before I began this blog, I googled. What’s a definition of Extended family?
– “grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, either all living nearby or within the same household.”
That’s how Julia and her household came to my thinking. This fits the extended family in one household. There were 15 in that household.

Our extended family are important part in our family journey.
It leaves us clues to missing family members and to how the family lived together.
I see that family members lived in the same general area on both my parents sides.

May include our extended family in our searches.
May we realized that they are apart of the family as well.
Happy Searching for more family connections.

Thanks for reading.
Extended Family Julia White’s Household In 1880: Week 27 In 2022

 Posted on July 8, 2022 by Susan Ann Blakley on another site. 
I added the In Remembrance: Januaryy

God bless
S.A. Blakley

Week 27
The theme for Week 27 is “Extended Family.” We often focus on those people from whom we descend. But what about their siblings, aunts, uncles, and cousins? They played a role in our ancestors’ lives, just like those people play a role in our own lives. This is a good week to explre the lives of these other people in the family tree.