Celebration Sunday-Genealogy Happy Dance! Finding an Ancestor in the Freedmen's Bureau Records-Thanks, Shelley!

 

You know the dance. You know you've done it. The one every researcher does after finding something new. The one where you want to jump up and down and shout to everyone that you found the document, contacted a cousin with the family Bible, made a DNA connection, or found a new branch to your tree. The one that is met with glazed stares and eye rolls.

                                                          Celebration Sunday is a place to share your discoveries. 

This weekly series enables everyone to tell about their Genealogy Happy Dance moment. 

Share by scrolling 

down and add your story to the comments section, or you may also link to a blog post about what had you dancing this week.

"South Carolina, United States records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99ZG-8XCR?view=explore : Feb 8, 2026), image 1067 of 1268, BR Gibson contract with Richard Gibson, 1867, pg. 3.

My Happy Dance Moment for the week:

After listening to Shelley Murphy share how to search the Freedmen's Bureau Records on FamilySearch using Full Text Search, on GenFriends, I used her instructions to search for some of my family who may have been included.

And sure enough, I found a record! This is a labor contract between my ancestor Benjamin Reese Gibson and a man named Richard Gibson. Richard said he would work the land and, in return, receive a portion of the harvest. Now, I am trying to determine who Richard was. He was not a family member, and most likely was someone who was formerly enslaved either by the Gibson family or someone else in the community. He doesn't appear in the 1870 census, at least under this name.

A clue to add more to the family story. 

Thanks, Shelley!

What were you celebrating?

Share your Happy Dance Moment for the week, and let's celebrate together!

 Thanks so much for stopping by!

Helping you climb your family tree,

This Week On My Family History Calendar-A Full Week of Rememberances

 

January 4~

  Mary Ruth Baker Hudson (1920-2010), my paternal grandmother, died peacefully at her home in Scranton, Florence, South Carolina, 16 years ago. She was buried in the Sumter City Cemetery, Sumter, South Carolina.  I miss you, Mimi!

Mary Baker Hudson
Headstone
Sumter City Cemetery, Sumter, South Carolina
Photo Credit: Cheri Hudson Passey

January 6~

    Benjamin Reese Gibson (1824-1907) and Margaret Canty (Walker) Gibson (1830-1900), my paternal third great-grandparents, were married in Clarendon County, South Carolina, 178 years ago. He was 24, and she was 18.

January 8~

    Just two days after her 52nd wedding anniversary, my paternal 3rd great-grandmother, Margaret Canty (Walker) Gibson (1830-1900), passed away. Margaret was 70 when she died 126 years ago in Clarendon County, South Carolina.

January 9~

   

My maternal great-great-grandparents, Manning David Dorrity, Sr. (1844-1918) and Mary Elizabeth (Stafford) Dorrity (1843-1930), were married 158 years ago.  They were married in Sumter County, South Carolina.  

Jan. 10-

 The 147th anniversary of the marriage of my paternal great-great-grandparents, Arthur Wellington Baker (1857-1940) and Martha "Mattie" Victoria (Bradford) Baker (1952-1947). Arthur was 21, and Mattie was 16 when they married in Sumter County, SC. 

Who are you remembering this week?

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Helping you climb your family tree,

This Week On My Family History Calendar-An Anniversary and a Death Two Days Later

 

January 6~
    Benjamin Reese Gibson (1824-1907) and Margaret Canty (Walker) Gibson (1830-1900), my paternal third great-grandparents, were married in Clarendon County, South Carolina, 177 years ago. He was 24, and she was 18.

January 8~
    Just two days after her 52nd wedding anniversary, my paternal 3rd great-grandmother, Margaret Canty (Walker) Gibson (1830-1900), passed away. Margaret was 70 when she died 125 years ago in Clarendon County, South Carolina.

Who are you remembering this week?

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Helping you climb your family tree,

This Week On My Family History Calendar

 

May 31~
Margaret Frances "Fannie" (Gibson) Thames (1854-1929), my paternal 3rd great-grandmother, was born 167 years ago in Clarendon County, South Carolina. She was the daughter of Benjamin Reese Gibson (1824-1907) and Margaret Cantey (Walker) Gibson (1830-1900).

Fannie Thames
(1854-1929)
©Cheri Hudson Passey

June 2~
 My paternal grandparents, Benjamin Allen Hudson (1918-1976) and Mary (Baker) Hudson (1920-2010) were married 82 years ago in Turbeville, Clarendon, South Carolina. Ben was 19 and Mary 19 when they said " I do."

Mary and Ben Hudson
Early 1960s
Camden, South Carolina
©Cheri Hudson Passey

June 4~
  My maternal great great grandfather, William A. McManus
(1854-1914), was born 166 years ago possibly in Sumter County, South Carolina. As of now, his parents are unknown.

William A. McManus Headstone
Pisgah Baptist Church Cemetery
Pisgah Crossroads, Sumter County, SC

Who are you remembering this week?

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Heping you climb your family tree,

This Week On My Family History Calendar

 

January 3~
     My maternal step second great grandfather, James Lewis Williams (1872-1937) was born 148 years ago in Camden, Kershaw, South Carolina.  

 January 4~
  Mary Baker Hudson (1920-2010) my paternal Grandmother died peacefully at her home in Scranton, Florence, South Carolina 11 years ago. She was buried in the Sumter City Cemetery, Sumter, South Carolina.  I miss you, Mimi!

January 6~
    Benjamin Reese Gibson (1824-1907) and Margaret Cantey (Walker) Gibson (1830-1900), my paternal  3rd great grandparents were married in Clarendon County, South Carolina 173 years ago. He was 24 and she was 18.

January 8~
    Just two days after her 52 wedding anniversary, my paternal 3rd great grandmother, Margaret Cantey (Walker) Gibson (1830-1900) passed away. Margaret was 70 when she died 121 years ago in Clarendon County, South Carolina.

 January 9~
   My maternal great great grandparents, Manning David Dorrity, Sr. (1844-1918) and Mary Elizabeth (Stafford) Dorrity (1843-1930) were married 153 years ago.  They were married in Sumter County, South Carolina.  

Who are you remembering this week?

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Helping you climb your family tree,

This Week On My Family History Calendar

May 31~
Margaret Frances "Fannie" (Gibson) Thames (1854-1929), my paternal 3rd great grandmother, was born 166 years ago in Clarendon County, South Carolina. She was the daughter of Benjamin Reese Gibson (1824-1907) and Margaret Cantey (Walker) Gibson (1830-1900).

Fannie Thames
(1854-1929)
©Cheri Hudson Passey

June 2~
 My paternal grandparents, Benjamin Allen Hudson (1918-1976) and Mary (Baker) Hudson (1920-2010) were married 82 years ago in Turbeville, Clarendon, South Carolina. Ben was 19 and Mary 18 when they said " I do."

Mary and Ben Hudson
Early 1960s
Camden, South Carolina
©Cheri Hudson Passey

June 4~
  My maternal great great grandfather, William A. McManus
(1854-1914), was born 166 years ago possibly in Sumter County, South Carolina. As of now, his parents are unknown.

William A. McManus Headstone
Pisgah Baptist Church Cemetery
Pisgah Crossroads, Sumter County, SC

Who are you remembering this week?
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Helping you climb your family tree,

This Week On My Family History Calendar

January 5-January 11

January 6~
    Benjamin Reese Gibson (1824-1907) and Margaret Cantey (Walker) Gibson (1830-1900), my paternal  3rd great grandparents were married in Clarendon County, South Carolina 172 years ago. He was 24 and she was 18.

January 8~
    Just two days after her 52 wedding anniversary, my paternal 3rd great grandmother, Margaret Cantey (Walker) Gibson (1830-1900) passed away. Margaret was 70 when she died 120 years ago in Clarendon County, South Carolina.

 January 9~
   My maternal great great grandparents, Manning David Dorrity, Sr. (1844-1918) and Mary Elizabeth (Stafford) Dorrity (1843-1930) were married 152 years ago.  They were married in Sumter County, South Carolina.  

Jan. 10-

 The 141st anniversary of the marriage of my paternal great great grandparents Arthur Wellington Baker (1857-1940) and Martha "Mattie" Victoria (Bradford) Baker (1952-1947). Arthur was 21 and Mattie was 16 when they married in Sumter County, SC. 

Who are you remembering this week?

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Helping you climb your family tree,

Celebration Sunday~Genealogy Happy Dance!

You know the dance. You know you've done it. The one every researcher does after finding something new. The one where you want to jump up and down and shout to everyone around that you found the document, contacted a cousin who has the family Bible, made a DNA connection or found a whole new branch to your tree. The one that is met with glazed stares and eye rolls.
                                                          Celebration Sunday is a place to share your discoveries. 
This is a weekly series to enable everyone to tell about their Genealogy Happy Dance moment. 
Share by scrolling down and adding your story to the comments section or you may also put a link to a blog post telling about what had you dancing this week.

My Happy Dance Moment for this week: 

 My daughters went with me yesterday to fulfill a request for headstones photos in a nearby cemetery. Now, you'd think that my happy dance was the fact that they went with me! And, to start with it was! But, there was a second event that kept the dance going.
Once home, I uploaded the photos and then checked my email.

Headstones of Benjamin Resse Gibson and wife Margaret Cantey Walker Gibson
Home Branch Cemetery, Paxton, Clarendon County, South Carolina
Photo Credit: William Norris

A distant cousin was visiting a cemetery where my 3rd great grandparents were buried and sent me a photo of their headstones! Wow! Genealogy Serendipity at work.
When we give, it always comes back. Maybe not as quickly as yesterday, but it will in time.

What is your happy dance moment for this week?
  

                                                                               

                                                                                              Share your discovery!

                                                                                  
                                                                                         Let the dancing commence!

Share the fun! Click below to tweet this post! 

Looking forward to reading about your Happy Dance moment!

Thanks so much for stopping by!
Helping you climb your family tree,

This Week on My Family History Calendar

May 28-June 3

May 31~
Margaret Frances "Fannie" (Gibson) Thames (1854-1929), my paternal 3rd Great Grandmother, was born 163 years ago in Clarendon County, South Carolina. She was the daughter of Benjamin Reese Gibson (1824-1907) and Margaret Cantey (Walker) Gibson (1830-1900).

Fannie Thames
(1854-1929)
©Cheri Hudson Passey

June 2~
 My paternal grandparents, Benjamin Allen Hudson (1918-1976) and Mary (Baker) Hudson (1920-2010) were married 79 years ago in Turbeville, Clarendon, South Carolina. Ben was 19 and Mary 18 when they said " I do."

Mary and Ben Hudson
Early 1960s
Camden, South Carolina
©Cheri Hudson Passey

Who are you remembering this week?
Thanks so much for stopping by!

Helping you climb your family tree,

This Week On My Family History Calendar

January 1-January 7

 January 3~
     My maternal Step Great Great Grandfather, James Lewis Williams (1872-1937) was born 144 years ago in Camden, Kershaw, South Carolina.  

 January 4~
  Mary Baker Hudson (1920-2010) my paternal Grandmother died peacefully at her home in Scranton, Florence, South Carolina 7 years ago. She was buried in the Sumter City Cemetery, Sumter, South Carolina. I miss you, Mimi!

January 6~
    Benjamin Reese Gibson (1824-1907) and Margaret Cantey (Walker) Gibson (1830-1900), my paternal  3rd Great Grandparents were married in Clarendon County, South Carolina 169 years ago. He was 24 and she was 18.

Are we kin or do you need help with your research? 
 I would love to hear from you! Please contact me. 

Thanks so much for stopping by!

This Week On My Family History Calendar

May 29-June 4

May 31~
Margaret Frances "Fannie" (Gibson) Thames (1854-1929), my paternal 3rd Great Grandmother, was born 162 years ago in Clarendon County, South Carolina. She was the daughter of Benjamin Reese Gibson (1824-1907) and Margaret Cantey (Walker) Gibson (1830-1900).

Fannie Thames
(1854-1929)
Original Owned by the Author
©Cheri Hudson Passey

June 4~
   My maternal Great Great Grandfather, William A. McManus (1854-1914), would have been celebrating his 162 birthday on this day. William was born in South Carolina, but the exact place and his parent's names are unknown at this time. 

Signature of William A. McManus
From 1914 Letter
©Cheri Hudson Passey

Are we kin? Please contact me. Together we can find our people. 
Thanks so much for stopping by!

This Week On My Family History Calendar

Jan.3-Jan.9

 January 3~
     My maternal Step Great Great Grandfather, James Lewis Williams (1872-1937) was born 143 years ago in Camden, Kershaw, South Carolina.  

 January 4~
  Mary Baker Hudson (1920-2010) my paternal Grandmother died peacefully in her home in Scranton, Florence, South Carolina 6 years ago. She was buried in the Sumter City Cemetery, Sumter, South Carolina. How I miss her!

January 6~
    Benjamin Reese Gibson (1824-1907) and Margaret Cantey (Walker) Gibson (1830-1900), my paternal  3rd Great Grandparents were married in Clarendon County, South Carolina 168 years ago. He was 24 and she was 18.

January 8~
    Just two days after her 52 wedding anniversary, my paternal 3rd Great Grandmother, Margaret Cantey (Walker) Gibson (1830-1900) passed away. Margaret was 70 when she died 116 years ago in Clarendon County, South Carolina.

 January 9~
   My maternal Great Great Grandparents, Manning David Dority, Sr. (1844-1918) and Mary Elizabeth (Stafford) Dority (1843-1930) were married 148 years ago.  They were married in Sumter County, South Carolina.  

Are we kin? Please contact me. Together we can find our people.
Thanks so much for stopping by!

52 Ancestors Week 34: Non-Pop Schedules~Picturing Their Lives

  

     Non-Population Schedules and what they can tell you about your ancestors is the topic for Week 34 of 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks by Amy Johnson Crow.
  These special schedules were taken in addition to the regular federal or state census and were for specific purposes such as the 1890 Veteran's Census, Agricultural and Manufacturing Censuses. These were used by agencies for statistic purposes. For a genealogist, these unique snapshots of our ancestors lifestyles can help fill in details that we would otherwise not know.
  
   My paternal 3rd Great Grandfather, Benjamin Reese Gibson (1824-1907) was enumerated in two Agricultural and one Special Manufacturing Census.

1860  Paxville,Clarendon County, SC Agriculture Census
Benjamin Reese Gibson

 The 1860 Agricultural Census of Paxville, Clarendon County, SC shows that Benjamin Reese Gibson was the owner of a large piece of farm land. He owned 2, 500 acres-80 of which had been improved. He had $100 of farming machinery which he used to  grow wheat, Indian corn, rice, cotton, peas, beans and sweet potatoes. He also had an orchard and produced butter, clover seed and molasses. His farm animals included 3 horses, 7 milk and other cattle, and 20 swine.

1870 Manning, Clarendon County, SC Agricultural Census
Benjamin Reese Gibson

  Ten years later, after the Civil War, Benjamin reported the following to the census taker.  Although far less than before, he still had a large piece of land consisting of 175 acres of improved land with 525 acres of woods.
 The cash value of the farm was 2,800 with $50 in farm machinery. He had payed $250 in wages including board. His farm was producing Spring wheat, Indian corn, oats, rice, cotton, peas, beans, sweet potatoes and hay. His animals included 1 horse, 3 mules, 5 milk cows and 6 other cows. He also had 20 swine. Benjamin reported that he estimated the total worth of his farm production was $1,035.

1880 Sammy Swamp, Clarendon County, SC Manufacturers Census
Benjamin Reese Gibson

    
 A Special Schedule of Manufacturers was taken in 1880 and recorded Benjamin Reese Gibson as the owner of a Saw Mill in Sammy Swamp, Clarendon County, SC. The mill was run using the wood from his own land. Employees numbered 7-10 during the year. 
   One of those employees, Benjamin Thomas Thames (1854-1931) began work at the mill sometime after 1870. He met the owner's daughter, Margaret Francis Gibson (1854-1929), and were married about 1872. They were my Great Great Grandparents.
 
    Together, these special censuses help me to piece together the lives of my 3rd Great Grandfather and his family. Other records  indicated he farmed and owned a saw mill but the information on these records forms a picture of the properties. The types of crops, animals and size of the saw mill gives the imagination something to work with when trying to understand and connect with those of an earlier time.

 Have you checked the Non-Population Schedules for your family? 


Are we kin? Please contact me. Together we can find our people.
Thanks so much for stopping by!

This Week On My Family History Calendar

May 31-June 6

May 31~
  Margaret Frances "Fannie" (Gibson) Thames (1854-1929) my paternal Great Great Grandmother was born 161 years ago. Her birth place was most likely in the part of  Sumter District, South Carolina that became Clarendon County in 1855.  
Paxville was the home of the family for some time.
Fannie was the daughter of Benjamin Reese Gibson (1824-1907) and Margaret Cantey (Walker) Thames (1830-1900).

June 4~
  William A. McManus (1854-1914), my maternal Great Great Grandfather would be celebrating his 161st birthday on this day. Records indicate that he was born in South Carolina, but the exact place has yet to be determined. William's parents are unknown at this time as well. 


Are we kin? Please contact me. Together we can find our people.
Thanks so much for stopping by.

Prosper-52 Ancestors~Benjamin Thomas Thames

      My paternal Great Great Grandfather, Benjamin Thomas Thames (1854-1931) is the subject for Week 17 of 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks 2015 Editon from Amy Johnson Crow. This week's blog prompt is ~Prosper.
      Benjamin was born 24 May 1854 in Clarendon County, South Carolina and was the son of Thomas Lemuel Thames (1827-1863) and Rebecca Hannah Stukes (1830-1870). The 1860 Clarendon County, South Carolina Census shows the family living in the White's Bluff community. His father, Thomas, was an Overseer.
      Life most likely was good for Benjamin and his sister Susan until the outbreak of the Civil War. Benjamin was 7 when his father enlisted and left to join Hampton's Brigade. Sickness affected Thomas for most of his time in service and he eventually was sent home where he died in March of 1863.
   The War took a toll on the whole family. Benjamin and his sister Susan went with their mother, Rebecca to live in Augusta, Georgia. What took them to Georgia, I have not determined.
 Benjamin's life changed again when in 1870, his mother died. He was 15 and his sister 17. The family story is that they were placed in homes and were sent to work in the cotton mill. This story is shown to be true as they are found living in different households in the Augusta, Georgia 1870 Census and each has cotton mill factory as their employment.
   A Thames family member is said to have gone to Augusta to bring the siblings back to Clarendon County, South Carolina. Benjamin worked the land and Susan in the home.
   Not long after returning to live with his relative, Benjamin took a job at a local sawmill owned by Benjamin Reese Gibson (1824-1907). It was while working there that he met his future wife, Margaret Frances "Fanny" Gibson (1854-1929), the daughter of his boss.
   Ben and Fannie were married about 1872 and became the parents of 9 children. Census records show that Benjamin eventually farmed his own land. Other sources indicate that he was involved in his community by holding a Sunday School in his home before a church could be built and that he was a well loved by friends and family.
  A family picture taken about 1910 shows that Benjamin Thomas Thames overcame the struggles of living through the Civil War and being orphaned at an early age. He did indeed prosper.

Benjamin Thomas Thames and Family
About 1910

 Are we kin? Please contact me. Together we can find our people.
Thanks so much for stopping by!

This Week On My Family History Calendar

Jan. 4-Jan. 10

Jan. 4~
  My paternal Grandmother, Mary Baker Hudson (1920-2010), died 5 years ago at the age of 89 in Lake City, Florence, South Carolina.  She is buried in Sumter City Cemetery, Sumter, South Carolina.

Jan. 6~
  My paternal 3rd Great Grandparents, Benjamin Reese Gibson (1824-1907) and Margaret Canty Walker (1830-1900) were married 167 years ago in Clarendon County, South Carolina.

Jan. 8~ 
 Margaret Canty Walker Gibson (1830-1900), my paternal 3rd Great Grandmother died 115 years ago in Manning, South Carolina.

Jan. 9~
 Manning David Daughrity, Sr. (1844-1918) and Mary Elizabeth Stafford (1843-1930), my maternal Great Great Grandparents were married in Sumter County, South Carolina 147 years ago.

Jan. 10~
 My Great Grandparents Arthur Wellington Baker (1857-1940) and Martha Victoria Bradford (1862-1947) were married 136 years ago. Arthur was 21 and Mattie was 16 when they married in Sumter County, South Carolina.

Are we kin? Please contact me. Together we can find our people!
Thanks so much for stopping by!

This Week On My Family History Calendar

May 25-May 31

May 31~

Margaret Frances Gibson Thames (1854-1929), my paternal Great Great Grandmother would be celebrating her 160th birthday on this day. Fanny was the daughter of Benjamin Reese Gisbon (1824-1907) and Margaret Canty Walker (1839-1900).

Family Friends Friday-Well Maybe....

 A few weeks ago I found this picture on Ebay. It is not anyone in my family, but it interested me because the woman was said to be from Clarendon, County,SC. The picture has the name Lenora Ridgill written on it.

 Several of my lines that are from the same county, so the picture was purchased and the searching began.

Lenora Ridgill
©Cheri Hudson Passey

  A Lenora Ridgill was found in both the 1860 and 1870 Clarendon County,SC Census.  

1860 Manning, Clarendon, SC Census
Lenora Ridgill, Family 109, Line 9
Source::Ancestry.com

 While looking at this census page, I scrolled forward and back to get a sense of the community and to see if there were other Ridgill families in the area. To my surprise just three pages ahead of Lenora and her family,were the Benjamin Reese Gibson (1824-1907) family! Benjamin and his wife Margaret Cantey Walker Gibson (1830-1900) were my Paternal 3rd Great Grandparents. They were about the same ages of Lenora and her husband, C.W. Ridgell, and their children were similar in age as well. Both men were listed as farmers.
 Is the Lenora in the 1860 Clarendon County,SC Census the same Lenora in the picture? Only time will tell. A few leads have been found on Ridgell descendants in Clarendon County. Perhaps one of those will bring answers.
 If it is the same Lenora, perhaps that is why I felt such a strong urge to purchase the photo and return it to the family. She was a family friend....maybe.

 ©Cheri Hudson Passey

This Week On My Family Calendar

Jan. 5-Jan. 11-

Jan. 6-

  The 166th Anniversary of the marriage of my Paternal 3rd Great Grandparents, Benjamin Reese Gibson (1824-1907) and Margaret Canty Walker(1830-1900). Benjamin was about 24 and Margaret about 18 when they married- possibly in Clarendon County, SC.

Jan. 8-

 Margaret Canty Walker Gibson (1830-1900), my Paternal 3rd Great Grandmother died 144 years ago at the age of 70 in her home in Clarendon County, SC.

Jan. 9-

 The 146th Anniversary of the marriage of my Maternal  Great Great Grandparents Manning David Daughrity, Sr. (1844-1918) and Mary Elizabeth Stafford (1843-1930). Manning was 23 and Mary was 25 when they were married in Sumter County, SC.

Jan. 10-

 The 135th Anniversary of the marriage of my Paternal Great Great Grandparents Arthur Wellington Baker (1857-1940) and Martha "Mattie" Victoria Bradford (1952-1947). Arthur was 21 and Mattie was 16 when they married in Sumter County, SC. 

© Cheri Hudson Passey