Richmond County GA Genealogy – Access Genealogy

The Discovery Of This Continent: It’s Results To The Natives

In 1470, Christopher Columbus married Dona Felipa, daughter of a renowned navigator, and settled in Porto Santo, where they shared dreams of discovering lands to the West. Their ambitions fueled Columbus’s determination, leading to his 1492 voyage that resulted in the European discovery of the Americas. However, this event marked the beginning of devastation for native peoples, introducing warfare, disease, and colonization that would decimate their populations and cultures, ultimately transforming their rich, diverse societies into shadows of their former selves.

Biography of Dr. Nathaniel Polhill Jelks

Dr. Nathaniel Polhill Jelks, born on July 18, 1845, in Hawkinsville, Georgia, distinguished himself as a physician after serving in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. He graduated from Bellevue Hospital Medical College in 1868 and practiced medicine in Hawkinsville, gaining recognition and leadership in medical associations. A devoted family man, he had seven children with his first wife, Kathleen Lamkin, and two with his second wife, Kate Pate. Active in civic and religious life, he was a deacon in the Baptist Church until his death on March 28, 1911.

Slave Narrative of Charity Austin

Charity Austin, born on July 27, 1852, in Granville County, North Carolina, was sold into slavery at ten. After experiencing hardship in Georgia and witnessing the brutal realities of enslavement, including separations of families and violence, she eventually learned of her freedom. Post-war, she worked for various families in Georgia and South Carolina before marrying Isaac Austin. Charity details the challenges faced by enslaved individuals, including limited access to education and the harsh realities of life under slavery while reflecting on the complexities of freedom after the Civil War.

Slave Narrative of Martha Colquitt

Martha Colquitt, an elderly former slave from Athens, Georgia, recalls her life on a plantation owned by Marse Billie Glenn. Born to a cook, she describes her family’s experiences, including her mother’s cooking and the provisions they received. Slaves on the plantation feared leaving, feeling well-cared for. Martha shares details of life events, religious practices, and the end of slavery during the Civil War. Now older, she reflects on her family, hardships, and the kindness of neighbors while hoping for better support in her old age.

Slave Narrative of Mrs. Sarah Byrd

Mrs. Sarah Byrd, a 95-year-old ex-slave from Georgia, recounts her early life in Virginia and experiences on Dr. Byrd’s plantation. Born into a separated family, she describes her plantation duties, including cotton picking. While Dr. Byrd was relatively kind, his wife was harsh, often punishing without cause. Mrs. Byrd shares stories of plantation life, including marriages, frolics, and prayer meetings, and vividly depicts her first encounter with Union soldiers during the Civil War, which culminated in her emancipation.

Slave Narrative of Ellen Claibourn

Ellen Claibourn, born in 1852 in Augusta, Georgia, reflects on her life as a slave on Mr. Hezie Boyd’s plantation. At the age of seven, she became a maid and nurse for her young mistress, shaping her articulate speech. Ellen recalls the Confederate War, her grandfather’s eventual freedom, and the community’s resilience. She highlights the differences in conditions between house servants and field hands, and discusses family, religion, and the care provided during the war. Ellen’s narrative emphasizes a complex mix of hardship and care in her experiences.

Slave Narrative of Carrie Nancy Fryer

Carrie Nancy Fryer, a 72-year-old former slave residing in Augusta, Georgia, shares her life experiences and memories from slavery. She describes her childhood on the Pickens plantation, her family’s struggle for sustenance, and her health remedies. Nancy reflects on her relationships, including those with her husband and children, alongside her profound spiritual experiences and insights into the supernatural. Despite her hardships, she emphasizes dignity and resilience, insisting on maintaining a clean household. She requests the interviewer to send a postcard to her former employer, expressing her ongoing struggles.