Saturday Musings ~ Ain’t Nothin’ Like Going Home!:-)
As most of you know {by way of Tweetville}, Sandra, Bernard and I took to the road early yesterday morning heading I-20 East — destination Greensboro (Greene Co.) and Washington (Wilkes Co.), the small, historic country towns many of our Ancestors called home.
Greene and Washington-Wilkes are neighboring counties, and typically my journey home entails a stroll through Greensboro’s historic Main Street.
This was San’s first visit to Greene County and I was happy to be with she and Bernard, riding around finding our way.
I had told San the night before that it’s customary in small towns to chat with folks when seeking information. After establishing YOUR connection to the land –addressed by telling them who your people are/were– you can usually feel free to ask questions. Needless to say, San was less than enthusiastic about this approach but being the opinionated, vocal Sister-Cousin-Friend I am, I commented that it would be a shame to travel all that way and miss an opportunity to connect because it wasn’t “her way” and left it at that.
Downtown Greensboro was as beautiful as always! Weather-wise the day could not have been any more perfect! After we spotted a group of older gentlemen talking and made their acquaintance, our afternoon took an interesting turn!
It’s really San’s story to tell {I Never Knew My Father} so I’ll let her pick-up from here! I was just blessed to be there!:-)
So, after our Greene County adventure, we were off to Washington-Wilkes, my TRUE Georgia roots!
Funny thing about home is that it’s HOME –you don’t feel like a visitor– so your camera really doesn’t come out and you don’t necessarily pay attention to the historic landmarks that many travel there to see.
We enjoyed a tasty lunch (and a homemade rice crispy treat!:-) at the cozy Talk of the Town Cafe, a cool blend of coffee house, cafe and specialty boutique, located in the heart of Washington’s Public Square. I picked up the DVD – A Narrative of Wilkes County, Georgia that features interviews with several of Washington’s 70+ year old natives.
I spent time at the Washington Historical Museum with Curator Stephanie Macchia, chatting about her FAVER/FAVOR lineage and WINGFIELD home. There I found a book I’ve wanted a LONG time — The African American Experience: Education in Wilkes County, Georgia from 1922 to 1970 by Kay FINNELL.
As always, I could have spent hours in the Museum, just walking and taking in all the history!
I was fascinated by the 20 or so authentic Slave Deeds on display and two Ku Klux Klan robes from the late 1800s in a display not too far away.
Equally as intriguing, scanned images of slave inventories listing some 400+ slave names from the North Carolina plantations of Stephanie’s Ancestors! These should be on their way to me today and will be transcribed for posting on A Friend of Friends!:-)
On the top of my list will be a visit where I can stay a few days to spend time researching and visiting the Wingfield properties with Stephanie!
My visit ended with a quick stop to hug my best Wilkes buddy, Vernon Anthony (Tight). Tight is homegrown and one of the smartest business men I know! After he extended a fishing invite to Bernard and I teased him about his favorite past-time of hunting poor innocent deer, we headed back to Atlanta.
I napped all the way home, feeling exhausted and at peace.
It was a perfect day in every way and a trip that this girl needed. To touch the land that my Ancestors lived, loved, loss and survived on did me a world of good!
I’ll be making the trip more often for sure.
As promised, enjoy the slide-show!:-) ~ Luckie.
what a wonderful way to spend the day!
Wow, what an experience and what a treat to read this post! You know as I reflect upon your experiences I often think about those places that are really hallowed ground. Our Ancestors, lived, died, wept, cried on those hallowed places. For example—the whipping tree that you all showed upon your return, the slave market on the slide show above, the jails where you know slaves especially runaways were held, and those cemeteries, those precious burial sites. I wish that we had some day to honor such places in our own manner and to leave a mark that we were there. You ladies have my mind wandering for some kind of symbolic method of honoring our folks and leaving something for others to know that the place has been recognized. I am speaking specifically for those places that are poignant places of history–large or small–known or unknown.
Keep doing what you are doing—we, the descendants of those now gone, need you.
-Angela-
(correcting typo “day” should be “way” above. Looking for a “way” to honor those sacred sites.)
Luckie,
I know how how you and San must have felt. I spoke with my cousin today, and she just cried. She is 87 years old. She is so overwhelmed to finally meet family, and to stand on the grounds where her father and brother are both buried at, and other relatives. I wish I could have been there to personally meet her. She just keeps thanking me – divivine intervention.
~Joann
You two beautiful ladies look like you were having the time of your life…and I guess you were! There’s nothing quite like getting together with family, visiting the places where your ancestors walked, and doing genealogy research!
Luckie,
What a great experience. Only wish I could have gone with you, San and Bernard, since I’ve got the Greene county ancestors, too. Can’t wait to read what San has to say.
I too like Mavis wish I could have been there. Just to share in the Research and support you, San, and Bernard in all the New Finds of the day. I can hear the excitement from you guys Tweets and know that the Ancestors was saying Welcome Home Ladies and Gent!!
Sounds like you guys had an awesome time, it would have been fun to tag along!
I know what you mean about being in the land of your ancestors. In a couple of weeks I will be headed to Bear Lake County, Idaho where my ancestors lived for five generations. I can hardly wait!
Sounds like you two had lots of fun, keep it up, that is all what life is about, enjoy and be happy and touch the lives of others
Thanks everyone! We did have a good time! I lived in Washington for awhile & still hope to one day buy property there. I want to be able to return home to heal & rest, when I want to.
Here’s believing that will happen soon!:-)
Luckie.
am trying to find information about my ancestors from Wilkes County Georgia .Their surname is Hector. If you have any information about the Hectors please contact me via email at stricorp@bellsouth.net .Thanks,
Waymon