OUR JOURNEY
How Did We Get Here?
IN SEARCH OF OUR ROOTS:
Henning, TN
"Our family's journey in Henning, TN began during slavery when Grandma Mandi, Grandma Harriet, Grandpapa Harmon, and their two sons Jerry and Wash were sold from the Rayner plantation in South Carolina c. 1857 to a slave owner in Henning, TN whose name was Williams. The Williams plantation was located in an area in Henning known as "Williams Switch". Shortly thereafter, (c. 1858-1860) Williams sold Grandma Harriett, Grandpapa Harmon, and their children to David Thum. When David Thum died, his wife Maria and their minor son became the owners of Grandma Harriet, Grandpapa Harmon, and their children. Grandma Mandi remained the property of the Williams owner according the 1870 census. This census is the first to show Blacks listed as people. Slaves had been previously listed as property on documents called "slave schedules". Grandma Mandi's last name is Williams and Grandma Harriett and her children have Thum as their last name.
In the 1880 census they all have Williams as their last name. There are obvious reasons that Grandma Harriet and her children would have chosen to disassociate themselves from the name Thum. One reason is that she had been violated by the cruel slave owner, which resulted in the birth of Hannah. Secondly, the aftermath of this violation had caused friction between Grandpapa Harmon and the Thum slave owner, causing a confrontation that led to his reportedly being hunted down and lynched by Thum and others. However, we now believe that he might have eluded their capture and escaped to freedom. We also believe that Grandma Harriet may have wanted all of them to have the same family name.
We are visiting Henning, TN during this reunion because of our family roots. It is also important that we tour the Alex Haley House Museum, the boyhood home of Roots author, Alex Haley who told the story of his African ancestor Kunta Kinte and his descendants who made their home in Henning, TN. We are certain that the paths of our ancestors and the Haley/Palmer family must have crossed in the small rural town as they began their lives and freedmen.
Our roots run deep in Henning, for it is here that our ancestors cleared the land, tilled the soil, and harvested the crops for the slave masters to reap the benefit of their labor. Here is where they toiled, hoped, dreamed, and prayed for freedom and a better day for themselves and their children. As we stand on the hallowed grounds of this bittersweet town, whose street bears the name of Thum, it is also the place where our ancestors first breathed the fresh air of freedom. As we touch the trees and the soil may we be reminded of our ancestors' sacrifice, their strength and their resounding faith that the seeds they planted would one day bring forth future generations that would continue the struggle of freedom and equality. May we also be reminded that we are the manifestation of Grandma Mandi, the hope of Grandma Harriet and Grandpapa Harmon, and the dreams of Jerry, Wash, Dennis, Hannah and Burl. Let their spirits always dwell within each of us ......"
Elaine Turner
5th Generation
View More History In Our 2014 Souvenir Booklet Here:
https://issuu.com/mtlycommunications/docs/family_reunion_souvenoir_booklet_20
