Researching African - American
Family History
Grayson County was one of the earlier settled counties in North Texas. Its early population was made up of stock raisers, farmers and freighters who brought supplies in to the early settlers. Up along the Red River there were plantations. There were several of these of various sizes. These homes were not the often-pictured fine plantation homes but usually were two story cabins , later plank wood. The most ostentatious was 'Glen Eden' which was located near where Preston Point is today. Pottsboro was named for the Potts family who had an early plantation in the same area. Many black families have the surname of Potts in their family tree. Fannin County also had many plantations and the early black families of Grayson County often can trace their roots to these families.
By the 1870's Denison, Sherman , Van Alstyne ,Whitesboro and Whitewright all had areas of town set aside for a 'negro' neighborhoods. These show up sometimes in the town plats. I have the published Plat Book online.
Often this included a business street or two containing black owned businesses , banks and even hospitals. These would grow and prosper until the horrible conditions of the 1920's and 30's when riots and KKK activity was at its height. These business districts broke up and the economy of them was ruined.
The golden age of railroading and commerce with factories though had been built up fast after the 1880's, and the railroads were in full use. This pulled more population into Grayson County and all of the railroad towns expanded greatly. Many Black citizens moved away from the farm at this time seeking an easier life. Besides the Doctors , Lawyers, Dentists and Bankers who held high positions in the black communities, the position of Railroad Conductor and was held in high esteem.
Whole neighborhoods of upper middle class rose up for the first time where formerly only a few black families were considered middle class. These were the undertakers, grocers, oculist , dry goods, feed stores, clothing stores and restaurant owners.
This area was growing and was a vital port into the State of Texas.
While doing your family research if you find your ancestor dissappearing from the area for a time , check up in Indian Territory where many young adults went up to share crop for a while and make money. Also for those who end up settling up there for good, their older generations may dissappear and pop up in Indian Territory in their homes after they retire.
Be sure to check the online city and county directories to track people from year to year. I would love to have your family story to add to the website.
Happing hunting,
Susan
- African-American Cemeteries in Grayson County Online ( I am making a list of mostly Black cemeteries in the county to help when doing research, please help if you can add to the list.)
- Atchison Slave graves and location are mentioned in newspaper article-1955.
- Blue Creek Cemetery ( Same as Independence Springs Cemetery & Bethany Negro )
- Jeremiah - NW of Bells
- Luper Cemetery ( Black Cemetery for Pilot Grove Area)
- Magnolia - Denison- Many Photographs loaded.
- OakHill - includes an old separate section of the cemetery that was African American
- Pool Cemetery - (Ellsworth Community), between Sherman and Denison
- Whiterock Cemetery NW of Whitewright
- Vaden Slaves are on this page.
The Last Buffalo "Walter Potts, Oldest Documented Buffalo Soldier" By E.B. Hogan This book Chronicles his life and family , includes Grayson County & Fannin County families ,the Browns of Honey Grove and the Oliphant's of Ravenna. |
US
African America Griots
Rootsweb
pages for African American Genealogy!