“Southern Kith and Kin: A Record of My Children’s Ancestors” is a comprehensive four-volume genealogical record compiled by Jewel Davis Scarborough, first published in 1951. This detailed work traces the lineage and historical narratives of several families from the colonial period through the early 20th century, focusing particularly on their roles in American history and migration patterns.
Jones County, Georgia, established in 1807, is named after U.S. Rep. James Jones and features prominent Native American history, particularly linked to the Creek Indians. The area, rich in natural resources, supported various Native cultures for over 12,000 years, transitioning from nomadic lifestyles during the Archaic and Woodland periods to advanced agricultural societies. The Creek Confederacy emerged in the 17th century, facing significant population decline due to European diseases. Land cessions in the early 1800s drastically reduced their territory, yet descendants continue to honor their heritage.
Rebecca Hooks, at 90 years old, recounts her life as a slave on the William Lowe plantation in Georgia. Born to mulatto parents, she experienced both kindness and cruelty. As a “house nigger,” she engaged in domestic duties and learned to read alongside white children. Notably, her punishment often stemmed from her closeness to the Lowe family. Leaving the plantation post-Civil War, she and her husband sharecropped before settling in Florida, where she now lives with her daughters, sharing memories of her past.