Philip CARTER my 2nd 4th Grandfather from Washington-Wilkes was said to be of small stature, with keen features, white skin, blue eyes and snow-white hair.

My Great Grandmother Annie once told me that when Philip’s siblings, Tom and Anna were Emancipated in 1865 they went on to live as white and were lost to the family forever, never to be seen again.

Philip lived to be very, very old — his 1922 Georgia Death Certificate lists him as 112 yrs (by my calculation his actual age in 1922 was abt. 96 yrs. old).

I am aware of only one family story about Grandpa Phil and this is what was told to me…

One day, Grandpa Phil returned from working the fields to find that his wife and children had been sold by his owner (still unconfirmed but believed to be John R.J. CARTER of Wilkes County).

When he attempted to protest, he was “encouraged” by his owner to let the matter go because why fret, he could always take another wife and have more children.

In 1869 on the 18th of February, Philip chose his 2nd Wife, Annie FAVER, my 4th Grandmother and with her, had at least 10 children — one of which was my Great, Great Grandfather, Wash CARTER.

From the moment that Grandpa Phil came home to find his wife and children gone forever, I’ve often wondered how he found the strength to live.

When I try to imagine myself in his shoes, and think about what the instant loss of my family would mean to me, I just can’t imagine moving forward. I don’t know how a person recovers from that kind of loss. Who did Philip become after that day? Was he a different man than he had been before?

Like with most of my Ancestors, I wish I knew Philip’s life story and could see his face with the  mysterious features that surely connect to another branch of our tree all together. I wish I knew more about him than the tale of his suffering.

I am praying for the day when by chance I encounter another CARTER and/or FAVER ”cousin” from Wilkes County who can share with me more of who my Grandparents were and how they lived.

Just like me, they are out there. I am just waiting for destiny to connect us.

Luckie.

[Image Source: 1867 Wilkes County, Georgia Voter Registration Card - Philip Carter #479]