Caroline, Patsy, Susan, and Charles: property of Henry Taylor

This post is part of an ongoing project to record names of enslaved people of Greene County, Georgia I find in historical records. 

Georgia Journal, May 16, 1826

On the first Tuesday in June next, will be sold at the Court-House in the town of Greenesborough, Greene county, between the usual hours of sale, the following property, to-wit.

One negro woman named Caroline, about 30 years of age, and her 3 children, viz Patsy about 5 years old, Susan about 3, & Charles about 2, all levied upon as the property of Henry Taylor to satisfy a fi fa founded on the foreclosure of a mortgage in favor of George G. Matthews vs. said Taylor. Conditions cash.

NICHOLAS HOWARD, D. Sh’ff

 

References

Georgia Journal, Madison, Georgia, May 16, 1826. 

Thomas Bowman

Thomas Bowman was born January 23, 1877, at 102 Foundry Lane in St. Rollox, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, to Joseph Bowman and Mary Braidwood. His parents had married on September 1, 1876, and had been together for just under five months at the time of his birth. His father, a journeyman glassblower, was originally from England. Thomas was the oldest of three, with Joseph Bowman and Alexander Bowman as his younger siblings. 

Thomas in Scotland birth register

Thomas is my husband’s 2nd cousin 2x removed. Their closest shared ancestors are Andrew Braidwood and Mary Liddell—Thomas’ great-grandparents and my husband’s 3rd great-grandparents.

By the time Joseph was born, the family had relocated to 77 East-John Street in Camlachie, Glasgow. By 1881, they were living in Dennistoun, Glasgow, where Alexander was born. That same year, the Bowman family resided at 5 County Park Terrace in Saint John Parish, Glasgow. Their home had only one windowed room, indicating modest living conditions. At age 26, Thomas’ father continued working as a glassblower.

1881 Scotland census

By 1891, Thomas (14) was living at 33 Mill Street in Bridgeton with his widowed grandmother, Christina (Martin) Braidwood (58), his widowed mother (30), aunt Martha Braidwood (26), and brothers Joseph (11) and Alexander (9). His father had evidently passed away between 1881 and 1891. His mother and aunt worked as paint workers, while his brothers were noted as scholars—though Thomas was not. Compared to their earlier home, this one had three rooms with windows, suggesting improved circumstances.

1891 Scotland census

Thomas married Sophia Johnston on February 7, 1899, at Fairbairn Free Church in Bridgeton, according to the Forms of the Free Church of Scotland. At 22, he worked as a furniture warehouseman, and his 20-year-old bride, Sophia, was a spinster. Thomas resided at 56 Albany Street, while Sophia, daughter of William Johnston and Mary Lowrie, lived at 5 Harvie Street.

Thomas in Scotland marriage register

The couple had five children—Mary Bowman, Sophia Bowman, William James Bowman, Violet Bowman, and Thomas Bowman. Their first child, Mary, was born five months after their wedding at the Johnston family home on June 10, 1899. At the time, Thomas continued as a furniture warehouseman.

Mary Bowman in Scotland birth register

Mary passed away on April 8, 1900, at 219 London Road in Camlachie, Glasgow, at just nine months old. She succumbed to acute bronchial pneumonia, which she battled for seven days. Sadly, her great-grandmother and Thomas’ grandmother, Christina (Martin) Braidwood, had died just one day prior. Mary was buried in Lair 3224 at Sandymount Cemetery, in a plot owned by her grandfather, William Johnston.

Mary Bowman in Scotland death register

Their second daughter, Sophia, was born on January 21, 1901, at the Johnston home. Thomas remained in furniture warehousing. However, in the 1901 census, Thomas and Sophia lived separately—Thomas with his widowed mother and brothers in Dalmarnock, and Sophia with her widowed father and brother in Calton. Both were recorded as married, yet their separation raises speculation—perhaps for work, family care, or other reasons.

Sophia Bowman in Scotland birth register

Thomas later worked as a paint maker, responsible for mixing pigments, oils, and resins for buildings, ships, and machinery. His brothers, Joseph and Alexander, worked as machinemen, operating and maintaining industrial machinery.

In 1901, the census captured two households connected by marriage. Thomas, a paint maker by trade, shared a modest two-windowed home at 29 Ardenlea Street with his mother Mary and brothers Joseph and Alexander. Both brothers worked as machinemen, likely in one of the area’s industrial facilities.

Meanwhile, Thomas’ wife Sophia was living separately with her family in their two-windowed home on Harvie Street. She stayed there with her widowed father William, her nine-year-old brother (also named William), and her infant daughter Sophia, just two months old at the time. Her father worked as a bleachfield worker in the textile industry—a job that involved spreading cloth across open fields and using both chemicals and natural sunlight to achieve the desired white color. Young William, like many children his age, was listed as a scholar, attending local schooling.

Thomas in the 1901 Scotland census

Thomas' wife and daughter in the 1901 Scotland census

By May 25, 1904, Thomas and Sophia seemingly reunited, as their son, William James Bowman, was born at 125 Summerfield Street in Bridgeton. Their third child, Violet Bowman, arrived on June 11, 1906, at 12 Davidson Street. Thomas continued to be employed as a paint worker.

William James Bowman in the Scotland birth register

Violet Bowman in the Scotland birth register

Thomas passed away on June 7, 1908, at age 28, at the Royal Infirmary in Glasgow. His death resulted from lockjaw (tetanus), caused by a puncture wound in his left foot sustained weeks prior. He endured 12 days of suffering before succumbing. At the time, he lived at 44 East Hope Street in Dennistoun and worked as a bone work laborer, a role involving processing animal bones for industrial goods like buttons, combs, and fertilizer.

Thomas in the Scotland death register

Correction sheet to Thomas’ death register

Thomas was laid to rest in Lair 4963 at Eastern Necropolis Cemetery on June 10, 1908, alongside his grandmother, parents, and other relatives. His great-grandfather, Andrew Braidwood, was the lair’s proprietor.

Thomas in Eastern Necropolis Cemetery's burial records

Eastern Necropolis Cemetery, Lairholder Registry

Sophia was left to care for their three young children—but it turns out she was already pregnant. On November 7, 1908—five months after Thomas’ death—she gave birth to a son, Thomas Bowman, at 39 Springfield Road in Bridgeton.

Thomas’ son Thomas Bowman in Scotland birth register

Sophia passed away in 1920 from smallpox. She was buried in Lair 3224 at Sandymount Cemetery, alongside her father and daughter, Mary.

Sophia in Scotland death register

William Johnston Lair, Register of Lair Owners and Burials,
Sandymount Cemetery, Glasgow

References

• Alexander Bowman, Statutory Registers Births 644/3 670, National Records of Scotland, 1881.
• Andrew Braidwood, Glasgow, Scotland, Burial Records 1800–1970, images 1 and 40, FamilySearch.
• Bridgeton, Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland Census, 1891. DOWNLOAD
• Eastern Necropolis Cemetery: Glasgow, Scotland Burial Records 1906–1912, image 86, FamilySearch.
• Joseph Bowman, Statutory Registers Births 644/2 940, National Records of Scotland, 1879.
• Mary Bowman, Statutory Registers Births 644/1 1741, National Records of Scotland, 1908.
• Mary Bowman, Statutory Registers Deaths 644/2 320, National Records of Scotland, 1900.
• Sandymount Cemetery: Glasgow, Scotland, Burial Records 1880–1989, images 4 and 425, FamilySearch.
• Sophia Bowman, Census 644/116/2, National Records of Scotland, 1901.
• Sophia Bowman, Statutory Registers Deaths 644/1 625, National Records of Scotland, 1920.
• Thomas Bowman, Census 644/130/3, National Records of Scotland, 1891.
• Thomas Bowman, Census 644/175/14, National Records of Scotland, 1901.
• Thomas Bowman, Census 644/321/13, National Records of Scotland, 1881.
• Thomas Bowman, Statutory Registers Births 644/1 1741, National Records of Scotland, 1908.
• Thomas Bowman, Statutory Registers Births 644/6 239, National Records of Scotland, 1877.
• Thomas Bowman, Statutory Registers Deaths 644/4 761, National Records of Scotland, 1908.
• Thomas Bowman, Statutory Registers Marriages 644/1 76, National Records of Scotland, 1899.
• Violet Bowman, Statutory Registers Births 644/1 1036, National Records of Scotland, 1899.
• William James Bowman, Statutory Registers Births 644/1 1033, National Records of Scotland, 1904. 

Minty, Jack, Edmund, and Anna: property of Joseph McDermond

This post is part of an ongoing project to record names of enslaved people of Greene County, Georgia I find in historical records. 

Georgia Journal, March 2, 1829

GREENE Sheriff’s Sales.—On the first Tuesday in MARCH next, will be sold at the courthouse in the town of Greenesborough, Greene county, within the usual hours of sale, the following property, to wit

Minty a woman about 25 years old, and her child Jack a boy about 1 year old, Edmund a boy about 12 years old, and Anna a girl about 12 years old, levied on as the property of Joseph McDermond to satisfy a mortgage fi. fa. in favor of George Martin, vs. Joseph McDermond.

WM. L. STRAIN, Sh’ff.

References

Greene Sheriff’s Sales, Georgia Journal, Madison, Georgia, March 2, 1829. 

James Athya Anderson

James Athya Anderson, born on January 10, 1912 in Rutherglen, Lanarkshire, Glasgow, Scotland was the son of Elizabeth Durie Athya and Alexander Anderson. James had six siblings: Jemina Athya Anderson, Helen Hamilton Anderson, Alexander Athya Anderson, Mary Brown Anderson, Janet Lambie Anderson, and Elizabeth Athya Anderson. He is my husband’s 1st cousin 1x removed with their nearest common relatives being James Wylie Athya and Jemima Durie, my husband’s great grandparents and James’ grandparents.

Register of birth for James

The Anderson family lived at 1 Avenue Street in Rutherglen when James was born. His father worked as a blacksmith. Having completed his apprenticeship under a master blacksmith, he was considered a journeyman. By the time James’ sister Mary arrived in September 1914, the Anderson’s had relocated to another street in Rutherglen—1 Baronflat Street. 

James never got to know his maternal grandfather, James Wylie Athya. He died when James was one and a half years of age from gastro-intestinal cancer in Garngadhill, Lanark, Scotland on August 12, 1913. His grandfather was buried at Southern Necropolis Cemetery in Glasgow.

The Anderson family was deeply impacted by the events of World War I, which began in July 1914. Three of James’ maternal uncles—Robert, George, and David Athya—answered the call to serve. Tragically, David lost his life in the France and Flanders campaign on May 10, 1915. 

Chalk drawing of George, David, and Robert Athya

After the war, his uncle George Athya returned home and lived at 1 Baronflat Street in Rutherglen—the same address where the Anderson family resided in 1914. The home was small, with just two rooms. It would have been a cramped living environment for 9 people, much less 10.

James’ father continued his work as a blacksmith, employed at Stewarts and Lloyds as a tube maker. His 15-year-old sister, Jemima—enumerated as Minnie in the 1921 Scotland census—worked as a carpet weaver at Templeton’s Weaving Factory. The six younger siblings, including James himself, were listed as scholars, although it is doubtful that the youngest, Janet (aged 4) and Elizabeth (aged 1), were attending school at the time. 

1921 Scotland census

James’ sister Jemima married Andrew Wilson Glen on February 15, 1924 in Rutherglen. The usual residence for both Jemima and Andrew were the same—1 Baronflat Street—the Anderson family home in Rutherglen. It would be interesting to know whether they moved into a home of their own, or continued to live in the Anderson family home. James’ grandmother Jemima (Durie) Athya passed away from a cerebral hemorrhage in Dennistoun, Glasgow, Scotland on November 19, 1925. She was buried at Southern Necropolis Cemetery along with other family members.

On March 12, 1937, James married Mary Mitchell Thomson at South Manse Hollandbush in the District of Hamilton, Lanark, Scotland, following banns according to the traditions of the Church of Scotland. At the time, James, a 25-year-old bachelor residing at 59 Cambuslang Road in Rutherglen, was employed as a general laborer. Mary, an 18-year-old spinster living at 82 Strathaven Road in Hamilton, worked as a baker packer. Born in 1918, Mary was illegitimate, and her mother, Mary Thomson, was a domestic servant in Hamilton.

Marriage register for James

James was just 27 years old when he passed away on July 19, 1939, at Robroyston Hospital in Glasgow, Scotland. He died from acute miliary tuberculosis, a severe form of the disease that spreads extensively through the bloodstream. Robroyston Hospital, established in 1918, initially served as a facility for treating smallpox and tuberculosis. Briefly operating as a military hospital during 1918–1919, it became a major center for tuberculosis care by 1925, with 450 beds dedicated to patients. At the time of his death, James resided at 36 Main Street in Rutherglen. He worked as a chauffeur and had been married to Mary for only two years. I have been unable to determine James’ burial location.

Death register for James

References

• Alex Anderson, Census 654/41/4, National Records of Scotland, 1921.
• David Athya, Evening Times Roll of Honour and The Mitchell Library, Glasgow, Scotland.
• James Athya Anderson, Statutory Registers Births 654/70, National Records of Scotland, 1912.
• James Athya Anderson, Statutory Registers Deaths 644/4503, National Records of Scotland, 1939.
• James Athya Anderson, Statutory Registers Marriages 647/77, National Records of Scotland, 1937.
• Janet Lambie Anderson, Statutory Registers Births 654/44, National Records of Scotland, 1917.
• Jemima Athya, Register of Interments in Southern Necropolis, Glasgow, Scotland, 1925.
• Mary Brown Anderson, Statutory Registers Births 654/576, National Records of Scotland, 1914.
• Mary Mitchell Thomson, Statutory Registers Births 647/1132, National Records of Scotland, 1918.
• Robroyston; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robroyston. 

English sues Lankford over condition of Lucy

This post is part of an ongoing project to record names of enslaved people of Greene County, Georgia I find in historical records.

This is a court case involving my ancestor, James M. Lankford. In October 1853, James sold Lucy to Stephen English for $300, with a warranty that she was sound except for one arm. English soon discovered that Lucy had additional health problems affecting her shoulder and hip joints, conditions that James had allegedly failed to mention.

English filed suit in Greene County Superior Court in March 1856, claiming that James had deceived him about Lucy’s condition. The lawsuit sought damages of $300—the full purchase price. English argued that these hidden health issues made Lucy not only unusable but also created additional expenses for him.

English was awarded $300 plus court costs on March 10, 1857. James filed an appeal on March 11.

After nearly two years of legal proceedings, a jury reached awarded English a judgment on April 1, 1858 of $174.33, plus interest and court costs, less than his original demand for $300.

No. 78, Greene Superior Court. March Term 1856
Stephen English vs. James M. Lankford 
Received of Stephen English three hundred dollars in full payment for a negro woman Lucy which I warrant sound with the exception of one arm.

Oct. 19th, 1853
James M. Lankford

Georgia, Greene County. To the Honorable Superior Court of said County.
The petition of Stephen English respectfully showeth that James M. Lankford of said County hath damaged your petitioner three hundred dollars for that whereas heretofore to wit on the nineteenth day of October in the year of Eighteen Hundred and fifty-five your petitioner at the special instance and request of said defendant bargained with the said defendant to buy of him the said defendant a certain negro woman slave named Lucy at and for a certain price or sum of money to wit, the sum of Three Hundred Dollars, and the said defendant by then and there falsely and fraudulently warranting the said negro slave to be sound with the exception of one arm then and there sold the said negro Slave to your petitioner for the said sum of Three Hundred dollars, which was then and there paid by your petitioner to said defendant, whereas in truth and in fact the said negro Slave was at the time of the said warranty and sale thereof unsound and diseased seriously in her Shoulder joint, and hip joint and hath from thence hitherto so remained and continued. And your petitioner in fact Saith that the said defendant by means of the premises on the day and year aforesaid falsely and fraudulently deceived your petitioner on the sale of the said negro Slave as aforesaid and thereby the said negro Slave afterwards to wit on the day and year aforesaid not only became of use or value to your petitioner but on the contrary a source of trouble and anxiety and expense.

And whereas also your petitioner heretofore to wit on the day and year aforesaid bargained with the said defendant to buy of the said defendant a certain other negro woman slave named Lucy and the said defendant by then and there falsely warranting the said last mentioned negro slave to be sound with the exception of one arm falsely and fraudulently induced your petitioner then and there to be, and your petitioner did then and there buy of the said defendant the said last mentioned negro slave for the like sum of Three Hundred dollars whereas in truth and in fact the said last mentioned negro slave at the time of the said last mentioned warranty and sale was not sound with the exception of one arm, but there was and hath hither to been and still is unsound and diseased seriously in other parts of her body, and not only useless but expensive to your petitioner. 

And your petitioner avers that the said Defendant falsely and fraudulently deceived him in the sale of the said last mentioned negro Slave to the damage of your petitioner Three Hundred dollars as aforesaid.

Wherefore your petitioner brings suit and prays process may issue requiring the said defendant to be and appear at the next Superior Court to be held in and for said County to answer your petitioner in an action on the case.

Henry C. Ware, Plffs. Atty.

Georgia - To the Sheriff of Greene County Greeting 

Stephen English vs. James M. Lankford Case

The defendant is hereby required personally or by attorney to be and appear at the Superior Court to be held in and for the County of Greene on the Second Monday in March next then and there to answer the Plaintiffs demand in an action on the case as in default thereof the said Court will proceed as to Justice shall appertain.

Witness the Honorable Robert V. Hardeman, Judge of said Court this 19th day of February 1856.

Vincent Sanford, Clerk 

Personally Served James M. Lankford with a copy of the within Writ February 20, 1856
Thos. F. Foster, D. Sheriff 

 

Stephen English vs. James M. Lankford Case

We the Jury find for the Plaintiff, Three Hundred Dollars with costs of Court.
Peter R. Brooks, Foreman 

Court adjourned to 8 ½ clock tomorrow morning.
Robert V. Hardeman, Judge

The Honorable the Superior Court met pursuant to adjournment.
Present His Honor Robert V. Hardeman, Judge
Tuesday, 10th March 1857.

Stephen English vs. James M. Lankford Case 
Verdict for the Plaintiff.
The Defendant James M. Lankford being dissatisfied with the verdict of the jury rendered in the above stated case, came into office within the time prescribed by law and demanded an Appeal which was granted. Whereupon Robert L. McWhorter Enters himself as the Security on said appeal and acknowledges himself, his heirs, and assigns held and firmly bound unto the Plaintiff in said cause for the Eventual condemnation money and all costs on the final trial of said case. In witness whereof the said James M. Lankford and Robert L. McWhorter have hereunto set their hands and Seal this 11 day March 1857.

Test
James M. Lankford

R. L. McWhorter
Vincent Sanford, Clk

Reference

• Greene County, Georgia, Court Minutes 1856–1868, images 81 and 84, FamilySearch.
• Greene County, Georgia, Special Proceedings Records 1856–1858, images 295–296, FamilySearch.