Georgia is a Real Peach
I have arrived at the starting point of my Family History Trail: Midway, Georgia. Today was spent by going to church in nearby Hinesville, then finding my ancestors in the cemetery, and meeting people along the way who shared points of interest related to my ancestry here - which led to more stops than I had planned on for the afternoon, ha ha. I ended up skipping lunch, got a little dehydrated, and was in dire need of a bathroom by 4:30 pm. But it was all worth it!
(Below: finding treasures in the Gum Branch Baptist Cemetery)
First I want to backtrack to some other highlights of my travels before I got here to Midway. I was quite sad as I left San Antonio. I couldn't even pray out loud in front of Abby and Gwen before leaving, asking Amber to pray instead because I was already fighting back the tears and didn't want the girls to see me. (If they did, we would all end up sobbing uncontrollably.)
My first stop was in Houston to see this cutie: Hailey Blatter Leung - who was one of Amber's best friends growing up and who lived in the house behind us. She's married now and they live in Houston while her husband is in law school. We had lunch together and got all caught up.
Then on to Louisiana.
I drove about 7 hours to Lafayette, Louisiana, spent one night, and then stopped in Baton Rouge for lunch the next day. I tried shrimp and grits per the waitress' suggestion and I LOVED it!!
I found a scenic walking trail near the state capitol building to get some exercise.
The Governor's Mansion was along the trail, too, with some lovely sunflowers out front.
I thought this was an interesting historical marker on the trail - especially since it mentions the Honorable John W. Snyder as being the one to procure this liberty bell. I'm not sure who this John Snyder is, but I have a long line of John SNIDER(s) on my family tree, starting with my DAD!! My immigrant John Snider settled in the Shenandoah Valley from Germany or Prussia, and was originally known as Johannes Schneider. Interesting nonetheless.
Then it was on to Mississippi.
I stayed in the CUTEST AirBnb in Long Beach, Mississippi - close to Gulfport.
After settling in, I hopped back in my car and drove about 5 miles from my lodging to the Long Beach Harbor and Pier to enjoy a beautiful sunset.
And miracle of all miracles, Scott called me while I was out on the Pier and we were able to watch the sunset together. We reminisced about being here about 10 years ago and watching the sunset every night. I miss him. But I'm glad we had that sweet moment together over a video call.
I loved photographing the pelicans. First there were three.
Then there were two.
And then there was one.
On a recommendation from my AirBnb host, I chose to eat at Darwell's Cafe in Long Beach. It did NOT disappoint!! Guy Fieri from the Food Network has been here and filmed episodes multiple times, so I knew the food would be amazing. I was not prepared for the amazing hospitality and entertaining live music to go with it.
And the owner himself, Darwell, came over to visit with me at my table. He even ad libbed with the band a couple times by playing his kazoo!
Click here for a video of the band and then he comes over to chat:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/S6vuw6LdPXyhyc5c8
The next day I entered Alabama. Correction: Sweet Home Alabama.
I stopped in Montgomery mid-day for some learning and some history.
First stop: Civil Rights Memorial Center
After a video about the Civil Rights movement and a background to whose names are on the huge stone dial out front, I was able to add my name to the "Wall of Tolerance."
I walked one block over to see the church where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. served as pastor: The Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church.
Then I set out on foot for a 10 minute walk to see the Rosa Parks Memorial and Museum.
Here is what I shared on Instagram about my experiences that day:
"I am in awe of all the individuals in this world who stood up for something greater than themselves. Rosa Parks for example. Her grandpa taught her to do what is right and to not settle for less. So when the man demanded her seat on the bus, she said, "No thank you. I like my seat just fine.
"She was arrested and the incident sparked a 382 day boycott of public transportation. And somewhere in that timeframe of the boycott is when Dr Martin Luther King Jr. decided to rise up and be a voice for the greater good too. No matter the cost.
"After I left Montgomery, deep in my thoughts, I drove past Tuskegee, Alabama, where there are numerous tributes to the Tuskegee Airmen: sections of the interstate, forests, etc. They were selfless men who fought valiantly for our country and for freedom, even though they were mistreated and disrespected at home during that era. But they signed up anyway because it was for the greater good.
"I hope I can follow their inspiring examples and stand up for what is right because it will be for the greater good."
(Below: finding treasures in the Gum Branch Baptist Cemetery)
First I want to backtrack to some other highlights of my travels before I got here to Midway. I was quite sad as I left San Antonio. I couldn't even pray out loud in front of Abby and Gwen before leaving, asking Amber to pray instead because I was already fighting back the tears and didn't want the girls to see me. (If they did, we would all end up sobbing uncontrollably.)
My first stop was in Houston to see this cutie: Hailey Blatter Leung - who was one of Amber's best friends growing up and who lived in the house behind us. She's married now and they live in Houston while her husband is in law school. We had lunch together and got all caught up.
Then on to Louisiana.
I drove about 7 hours to Lafayette, Louisiana, spent one night, and then stopped in Baton Rouge for lunch the next day. I tried shrimp and grits per the waitress' suggestion and I LOVED it!!
I found a scenic walking trail near the state capitol building to get some exercise.
The Governor's Mansion was along the trail, too, with some lovely sunflowers out front.
I thought this was an interesting historical marker on the trail - especially since it mentions the Honorable John W. Snyder as being the one to procure this liberty bell. I'm not sure who this John Snyder is, but I have a long line of John SNIDER(s) on my family tree, starting with my DAD!! My immigrant John Snider settled in the Shenandoah Valley from Germany or Prussia, and was originally known as Johannes Schneider. Interesting nonetheless.
Then it was on to Mississippi.
I stayed in the CUTEST AirBnb in Long Beach, Mississippi - close to Gulfport.
After settling in, I hopped back in my car and drove about 5 miles from my lodging to the Long Beach Harbor and Pier to enjoy a beautiful sunset.
And miracle of all miracles, Scott called me while I was out on the Pier and we were able to watch the sunset together. We reminisced about being here about 10 years ago and watching the sunset every night. I miss him. But I'm glad we had that sweet moment together over a video call.
I loved photographing the pelicans. First there were three.
Then there were two.
And then there was one.
On a recommendation from my AirBnb host, I chose to eat at Darwell's Cafe in Long Beach. It did NOT disappoint!! Guy Fieri from the Food Network has been here and filmed episodes multiple times, so I knew the food would be amazing. I was not prepared for the amazing hospitality and entertaining live music to go with it.
I ordered Shrimp Etoufee (on the left), Crawfish Gumbo (middle), and Shrimp Creole (right). I ate every single bite! Everything was piping hot which helped me defrost from being out on the pier. My fingers had turned to popsicles from taking photos in the biting cold wind!
And the owner himself, Darwell, came over to visit with me at my table. He even ad libbed with the band a couple times by playing his kazoo!
Click here for a video of the band and then he comes over to chat:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/S6vuw6LdPXyhyc5c8
The next day I entered Alabama. Correction: Sweet Home Alabama.
I stopped in Montgomery mid-day for some learning and some history.
First stop: Civil Rights Memorial Center
After a video about the Civil Rights movement and a background to whose names are on the huge stone dial out front, I was able to add my name to the "Wall of Tolerance."
I walked one block over to see the church where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. served as pastor: The Dexter Avenue King Memorial Baptist Church.
Then I set out on foot for a 10 minute walk to see the Rosa Parks Memorial and Museum.
Here is what I shared on Instagram about my experiences that day:
"I am in awe of all the individuals in this world who stood up for something greater than themselves. Rosa Parks for example. Her grandpa taught her to do what is right and to not settle for less. So when the man demanded her seat on the bus, she said, "No thank you. I like my seat just fine.
"She was arrested and the incident sparked a 382 day boycott of public transportation. And somewhere in that timeframe of the boycott is when Dr Martin Luther King Jr. decided to rise up and be a voice for the greater good too. No matter the cost.
"After I left Montgomery, deep in my thoughts, I drove past Tuskegee, Alabama, where there are numerous tributes to the Tuskegee Airmen: sections of the interstate, forests, etc. They were selfless men who fought valiantly for our country and for freedom, even though they were mistreated and disrespected at home during that era. But they signed up anyway because it was for the greater good.
"I hope I can follow their inspiring examples and stand up for what is right because it will be for the greater good."
I saw some of the most hilarious names for creeks as I drove along the southern states. Here are my favorites:
Woman Hollering Creek
Tehoutacabouffa River
Burnt Corn Creek
Murder Creek
Next up: Georgia
I stayed with our niece, Kristi, and her husband, Greg up in Ball Ground, GA. (north of Atlanta) It's weird to call her my niece when she is just 4 years younger than I am! We had a lovely visit and enjoyed listening to a LOT of music together. After a delicious dinner at a tasty restaurant called Newk's in nearby Canton, GA, we came home and chatted a while and ate some cake. :) They have a beautiful home that they have worked hard on. I'm glad I could stay with family one more night before I'm on my own for a month.
In the morning, the snow began early. And it didn't stop until 2:00 pm. There were at least 4 inches of wet, heavy snow by the time it was done. I had to wait to travel until the roads melted off, since nobody has snow plows in Georgia! Once I got to Atlanta, the roads were fabulous the rest of the way. Funny how in all my travels - from CA to Idaho for Christmas, and from Idaho to Texas - I never once got caught in a snowstorm. Until Georgia.
Today was my first full day in Liberty County - the home of my ancestors since the 1750s. I drove 20 minutes away to attend church in Hinesville. When Sacrament meeting was over, a young lady came straight over to me and said, "I know you, but I can't think of how I know you. Where are you from?" When I told her I'm from Idaho Falls, she said, "I knew it!" She's married now, but her maiden name was Crystal Hatch. She lived in the Crestwood Ward in our stake, and is a couple years older than Amber. But she remembers me from serving up at Girls Camp! Her husband is in the military down here (Fort Stewart), so they have been here for a couple years now. What a small world!
Next, I drove about 10 miles to the Gum Branch Baptist Church Cemetery. I was able to find my 2nd great grandparents and my 3rd great grandfather.
My 2nd great grandfather: John Bryant Flowers (on my mother's father's line)
My 2nd great grandmother: Valeria Candace Smith Flowers
My 3rd great grandfather: Allen Barfield Flowers
The historical marker for the church lists many of my direct ancestors:
From there, I stopped by the Dorchester Academy on my way home. The name Dorchester has significance to my family history in this area. There were a group of Puritans who were organized in 1630 to leave their home in Dorchester, England to settle in America. When they arrived in Massachusetts, they named the colony Dorchester. Later, when they relocated to Connecticut, they named their new home Dorchester. Still later, they relocated down to South Carolina and named their new home Dorchester. And when they outgrew the land there and found a satisfactory location in Georgia, they named it . . . you guessed it: Dorchester. The name no longer really exists in this area because it was incorporated into the city of Midway. But there are a couple of historical buildings or points of interest still standing. One of which is the Dorchester Academy. It was not at all what I expected to find.
The original Midway Congregational Church was organized by some of my direct ancestors. This marker tells me that the newly freed slaves after the Civil War needed a place of worship. But they had ancestral ties to the first Midway Congregational Church.
As I stood there reading the plaque, several cars were pulling up and visitors were coming over to the entrance. They began visiting with me, probably out of curiosity since I was the only white person there ha ha. As they learned that I was in the area to do family history, they asked me what some of my family names were. I began listing them: Norman, Sikes, Flowers, Baker, Bacon, Baxter, Quarterman, Mobley, Peacock.
The gentleman that I was talking with excitedly announced: "I'm a Quarterman!" And then he introduced me to his friend, Deacon Herman Baker. Herman shared with me about his deep roots in the area here - several generations worth of Bakers. Then I noticed his blue eyes. It wasn't hard to do the math. My people were slave owners. Things happened. Slaves would often take on the surname of their master. Deacon Baker made the same assumption, about as quickly as I did. He declared: "Cousin!!" And hugged me. What a cutie!
We were able to tour the museum as a small group, again, miraculously. A lady came to open it up briefly for this group. Briefly as in about 20 minutes. And I just happened to get there at the right time. I found several moving quotes from supposed relatives, describing their less than favorable circumstances during the slavery era. I was moved to tears.
Deacon Baker also encouraged me to go to the Midway Church Museum today because it's Super Sunday - meaning that the museums were all free today. So I drove a couple miles down the road to see one more museum. I was able to go on the tour, but because I was in the very last group, I didn't get a chance to ask any questions because they were closing up. So I will return on Tuesday when they reopen and I can finish my research, purchase a couple books from their gift shop and take pictures.
By the time I left the last museum, I realized how hungry and thirsty I was. So I decided to take care of my physical needs and wrap up the day. So here I am. Full tummy, more hydrated, out of my church clothes and into my comfy lounge wear for the evening.
What a great first day.
Next up: Georgia
I stayed with our niece, Kristi, and her husband, Greg up in Ball Ground, GA. (north of Atlanta) It's weird to call her my niece when she is just 4 years younger than I am! We had a lovely visit and enjoyed listening to a LOT of music together. After a delicious dinner at a tasty restaurant called Newk's in nearby Canton, GA, we came home and chatted a while and ate some cake. :) They have a beautiful home that they have worked hard on. I'm glad I could stay with family one more night before I'm on my own for a month.
In the morning, the snow began early. And it didn't stop until 2:00 pm. There were at least 4 inches of wet, heavy snow by the time it was done. I had to wait to travel until the roads melted off, since nobody has snow plows in Georgia! Once I got to Atlanta, the roads were fabulous the rest of the way. Funny how in all my travels - from CA to Idaho for Christmas, and from Idaho to Texas - I never once got caught in a snowstorm. Until Georgia.
Today was my first full day in Liberty County - the home of my ancestors since the 1750s. I drove 20 minutes away to attend church in Hinesville. When Sacrament meeting was over, a young lady came straight over to me and said, "I know you, but I can't think of how I know you. Where are you from?" When I told her I'm from Idaho Falls, she said, "I knew it!" She's married now, but her maiden name was Crystal Hatch. She lived in the Crestwood Ward in our stake, and is a couple years older than Amber. But she remembers me from serving up at Girls Camp! Her husband is in the military down here (Fort Stewart), so they have been here for a couple years now. What a small world!
Next, I drove about 10 miles to the Gum Branch Baptist Church Cemetery. I was able to find my 2nd great grandparents and my 3rd great grandfather.
My 2nd great grandfather: John Bryant Flowers (on my mother's father's line)
My 2nd great grandmother: Valeria Candace Smith Flowers
My 3rd great grandfather: Allen Barfield Flowers
The historical marker for the church lists many of my direct ancestors:
From there, I stopped by the Dorchester Academy on my way home. The name Dorchester has significance to my family history in this area. There were a group of Puritans who were organized in 1630 to leave their home in Dorchester, England to settle in America. When they arrived in Massachusetts, they named the colony Dorchester. Later, when they relocated to Connecticut, they named their new home Dorchester. Still later, they relocated down to South Carolina and named their new home Dorchester. And when they outgrew the land there and found a satisfactory location in Georgia, they named it . . . you guessed it: Dorchester. The name no longer really exists in this area because it was incorporated into the city of Midway. But there are a couple of historical buildings or points of interest still standing. One of which is the Dorchester Academy. It was not at all what I expected to find.
The original Midway Congregational Church was organized by some of my direct ancestors. This marker tells me that the newly freed slaves after the Civil War needed a place of worship. But they had ancestral ties to the first Midway Congregational Church.
As I stood there reading the plaque, several cars were pulling up and visitors were coming over to the entrance. They began visiting with me, probably out of curiosity since I was the only white person there ha ha. As they learned that I was in the area to do family history, they asked me what some of my family names were. I began listing them: Norman, Sikes, Flowers, Baker, Bacon, Baxter, Quarterman, Mobley, Peacock.
The gentleman that I was talking with excitedly announced: "I'm a Quarterman!" And then he introduced me to his friend, Deacon Herman Baker. Herman shared with me about his deep roots in the area here - several generations worth of Bakers. Then I noticed his blue eyes. It wasn't hard to do the math. My people were slave owners. Things happened. Slaves would often take on the surname of their master. Deacon Baker made the same assumption, about as quickly as I did. He declared: "Cousin!!" And hugged me. What a cutie!
We were able to tour the museum as a small group, again, miraculously. A lady came to open it up briefly for this group. Briefly as in about 20 minutes. And I just happened to get there at the right time. I found several moving quotes from supposed relatives, describing their less than favorable circumstances during the slavery era. I was moved to tears.
Deacon Baker also encouraged me to go to the Midway Church Museum today because it's Super Sunday - meaning that the museums were all free today. So I drove a couple miles down the road to see one more museum. I was able to go on the tour, but because I was in the very last group, I didn't get a chance to ask any questions because they were closing up. So I will return on Tuesday when they reopen and I can finish my research, purchase a couple books from their gift shop and take pictures.
By the time I left the last museum, I realized how hungry and thirsty I was. So I decided to take care of my physical needs and wrap up the day. So here I am. Full tummy, more hydrated, out of my church clothes and into my comfy lounge wear for the evening.
What a great first day.
Comments
Post a Comment