Yesterday I was the beneficiary of a rare and special gift — In Search Of A Family – The Incomplete History of the FAVORS Family of African Descent by the Paris FAVORS Jr. {1987}.

What a gift! Paris Favors Jr. {1948-1994} was a practicing attorney and Minister, which clearly shows in his beautifully descriptive writing and attention to detail.

After opening my parcel last night from Robert BOLTON {Son of Wade BOLTON and Grandson of Rev. Paris/Parish FAVOR born abt. 1842}, I had not made it beyond page #11 before I’d solved my first Ancestor mystery — who were the elder Paris/Parish Favor’s  parents and slave owner?

On page #7 Paris Favors Jr. wrote:

As noted earlier, I have been unable to discover who were the parents of the Reverend Parish Favors, where he came from or who were his owners during slavery.

After reading a few pages further, I noted a 1986 interview with Wade Bolton of Lincolnton that identifies Parish as having Sisters named Chaney and Le Anna and a Brother named Ben.

I immediately headed to the 1870 Wilkes County Census to search for those names and here is what I found:

• Burrill Favor – 60
• Maria Favor – 50
• Chaney Favor – 20
• John S Favor – 0 (this was a census taker’s oversight)
• Winny Favor – 17
• Ritta Favor – 13
• Leanna Favor – 11
• Edward Favor – 9
• Charles Favor – 8
• Mary Favor – 6
• Susan Favor – 4

There in all its glory were Parish’s Sisters, Chaney and Leanna, living with their parents, Burrill(Burnell) and Maria and a handful of other siblings!

Although there is no sign of  a 28 yr. old Paris/Parish on the August 1870 Wilkes County census (not uncommon for this census!), we do find Mary HARRIS, Parish’s first wife {they wed Dec. 26 1870} living alone with children Lorena 4, Augustus 2 and Hannah 1. Note also: next door to Mary is Henry HARRIS 41 with wife and children. Henry is probably Father or Brother to Mary!:-)

Ok, so next, I wanted to find Paris and his family in an estate record and since I own a copy of the Wilkes County Estate/Inventories from this period {500+ inventories/estates}, I immediately started looking.

Now, Thomas FAVER has long since been the person I believed to have been my Annie FAVER CARTER’s slave owner, as you can see from the August 2009 post about his 1859 Estate Appraisal.

So imagine my reaction when I went to his record first and found Parish’s family listed both in the name ledger on the first page, as well as by the “lot” they were placed in — Lot No. 1 sold to Charles S. FAVOR!

While I don’t see Paris/Parish listed in the lot sale with his family (God, how sad is that?) I do believe on the 1st page of the estate record, the name of the 8 yr. old boy for $750 appearing under the name “Isiah” is “Paris”.

So after examining the estate record of Thomas Faver and the 1870 Wilkes County Census here’s where we are, as of today – I believe Burnell/Burrill {born abt. 1810} and Maria {born abt. 1820} to have been the parents of Rev. Parish Favors. I also believe that “Ben” FAVER {born abt. 1825} was not a sibling of Parish’s as speculated by Paris Jr., but the younger Brother of Burnell — so, Parish’s Uncle.

What else? I believe Squire FAVOR {born abt. 1814} who appears both living next door to Burnell in 1870 and in the Thomas Faver estate record {Lot #2 sold to J.D FAVOR} was a sibling to Burnell and Ben — and get this, all 3 Sons to Winny FAVER found living at age 72 yrs with Ben in 1870 and identified as age 60 yrs in Thomas Faver’s estate!

Not bad for one night’s work and not reading beyond page #12 of 62, huh?!:-)

Thank you Paris Jr., Grandma Annie, Rev. Parish and all my FAVER/FAVOR Ancestors for leading the way…

I’m listening!:-)

Luckie.

[Image Source: Rev. Parish & Jane Claiborn Favors - cover image of In Search Of A Family - The Incomplete History of the FAVORS Family of African Descent by the Paris FAVORS Jr. 1987; circa unknown]

Well it looks like I’ll be heading to Wilkes County soon to visit the Cemetery at Lyonsville Baptist Church in Rayle.

From what LaKisha {my new found, could be cousin!:-} tells me, Lyonsville is a family cemetery of sorts and many FAVER/FAVOR-BOLTON Ancestors are resting in the Church Cemetery.

If my Annie FAVER is connected to this line, there is a good chance she could be to!

Grandma Annie would have passed away after 1900 but before 1910 — as she is found in the 1900 Pento, Wilkes County Census living with Grandpa Phil but by 1910 Grandpa Phil is widowed living in Atlanta’s 4th Ward.

Because she died before 1919 there is no Georgia Death Certificate to reference.

Could Grandma Annie and other FAVER-CARTER Ancestors be buried at Lyonsville? Quite possibly — I sure hope so.

My Faver-Carter family is the biggest remaining GeneaMystery I have. It would be a blessing to know more about her and my other kin folks from that line.

I’m still crossing my fingers that the Faver/Favor genealogy compiled by the late Paris Favors of North Carolina will make its way to me. I’m anxious to see what questions I am able to answer!

I’ll keep you posted…

Luckie.

In 1869 My 4th Grandfather Philip CARTER married Annie FAVER in Washington-Wilkes, GA.

When they married, Grandma Annie already had a 2 yr old Daughter named Anna WRIGHT and aside from my childhood memory of Grandma Annie’s long braid of hair, held in a glass jar by my Great Grandmother Annie CARTER JACKSON {obviously, her namesake}, that is all I know of Annie Faver.

Recently, much to my amazement, Willie BOLTON and his Daughter, LaKisha BOLTON-GREEN discovered Our Georgia Roots and tagged the blog! They are descendants {Grandson and Great Granddaughter} of Mamie FAVORS-BOLTON, a FAVORS Ancestor I posted about on July 23 – Mamie FAVORS Bolton 1891-1982!

This for me is an unexpected blessing and an opportunity to answer questions I NEVER thought I’d have an answer to and possibly the discovery of new “cousins” and a lost Grandmother’s history.

I have TONS of questions for Willie and Kisha… thank goodness they live close by which gives me an opportunity to meet them in person! But for the sake of posterity, I wanted to post my initial FAVER/FAVOR/FAVORS questions here at OGR too!:-)

1. It appears that Henry BOLTON had 2 wives and a total of 28 children. Were Amanda/Mandy FAVER {1st wife} pictured with Henry and Mamie FAVORS {2nd wife} related?
2. Do you know the names of Mamie’s (or Mandy’s) Parents and Grandparents? [Luckie: Mamie's Parents were Paris and Janie Faver/Favor. I believe Henry's Father was Silas Bolton. Mandy's Parents are still unknown]
3. Do you know who would have been the original slaveowner of Mamie’s (or Mandy’s) family?
4. Where did your FAVORS and BOLTONS originally live in Wilkes County? [Luckie: It appears the Boltons were originally from Oglethorpe Co. and the Favors (post-emancipation) in Pento and Derbyshire, Wilkes Co.]
5. Has it ever been said that your FAVOR/FAVORS were of Native American decent?
6. Are you aware of any CARTER and/or WRIGHT relatives from Washington-Wilkes?
7. Have you ever heard of Philip CARTER and Annie FAVER?
8. Who is your oldest living FAVOR/FAVORS relative? Could I speak to them?
9. Is there a documented family tree that I could study?
10. Are there pictures of your FAVOR/FAVORS Ancestors?

Just when think you’ve hit a brick wall, along comes new cousins to provide a much welcomed detour! Lord, I love it!:-)

Luckie.

Yesterday while scanning Ancestry’s African American Collection, Slave Information Message Board, I noticed a post in regards to the transcribed Estate Inventory of John HUGULEY of Wilkes Co. The information had been posted by someone with the surname FAVOR.

Given that my 4th Paternal Grandmother was Annie FAVER CARTER, anytime I see the surname FAVER/FAVOR I perk-up but especially when it’s associated with Wilkes Co!

So I sent a message to the original poster inquiring about her surname & to my surprise, she responded back immediately!

With her permission, I’ve included her response below. In more ways than one it speaks to the importance of sharing both your & others Genealogical information within the research community.

Please take note of the information she is sharing as well — we never know where a connection might be found!:-)

Hi Luckie,

I have been to OurGeorgiaRoots.com. It gave me inspiration to continue this search. To answer your question, I don’t know. I have looked extensively at the John Faver family line in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Texas. I have their entire descendant chart. I traced one branch from Alabama to Fannin County Texas but have not been able to make a link. My ancestor was Pomp Favors. Reported in 1880 census as born in Alabama. He died before 1890. He was freed at age 14 in Fannin County (family rumor not fact with maybe a brother George-rumor not fact). I have gotten as far back to his 1876 marriage but have found nothing on him beyond that. I have found George who shows up in the 1867 voter registration. It reports him born in Alabama. It reports that he had been there for 17 yrs. George shows up in the 1880 census on the farm next to Pomp. But we really don’t have any evidence yet that they were even brothers. I only find them in the 1880 census. I am assuming that they both died shortly after that. Pomp’s wife was remarried by 1889, but she had a child by Pomp born in 1888. So, I am still searching for some kind of connection to the Faver family of Alabama and Georgia.

Has your family any thoughts of doing a DNA project? I hope this answers your questions.

Information that I posted re: the Hughley Estate was information I transcribed from the copy of Wilkes County Probate book that was posted by Mechie on Picasso. I found a reference to a slave named Pomp in that book but have not gone any further on my research in that area yet.

Now the original poster’s “Pomp Favors” does sounds familiar to me — so I plan to spend some time reviewing where I’ve come across the name. There is also a GOOD chance that she could be connected to my other FAVER cousins, Barrett & Farrel!

But what was heartwarming to me was that visiting OGR’s blog inspired her to continue her search & that she’d transcribed John Huguley’s estate inventory from the Wilkes County Inventories I posted on Picasa! I am the “Mechie” she referenced {Dona Amechia by birth}!:-)

How cool is that?!

Over the years, there have been countless times when being online has made ALL the difference. I’ve been blessed by many by way of this blog & previous iterations of it. Glad to know that others are benefiting from my efforts to share the love too!

If you are NOT actively online somewhere you really have no right to complain when your research doesn’t advance at the rate you want it to OR to criticize others who aren’t sharing their research. Ya’ll are passengers of the same ship!:-)

C’mon — do it for you, do it for your Ancestors, do it for other researchers who DESPERATELY need to know who their Ancestors are & you may hold the key!

There are new folks joining the GeneaTribe everyday & long-time clan members going a step further! Check-out these…

• My Nola Heritage – Felicia started off as a client courtesy of GenFreelancers & is certainly now my Sister on the GeneaJourney! She’s starting off with researching her Maternal line from Webster Parish, LA! Twitter: @Matfam42.
• Just Thinking- Nadasue emailed me with questions regarding OGR & then the next thing I knew, she was blogging! I always appreciate the detail to her posts & feedback on mine! Twitter: ??? {yes, Renate — this is my way of saying, get going!}
• Conversations With My Ancestors- A new Geneablog from my girl Mavis of Georgia Black Crackers, as she digs deeper into her Paternal family line. Twitter: @NCChemist
• Giving Back To Kin – A digital Act of Kindness from GeneaBloggette Robyn of Reclaiming Kin. I love it!:-) Twitter: ??? {Ditto!:}
• OurAlabamaRoots – This is my newest blog dedicated to my BARWICK Ancestors of Barbour, Henry & Montgomery Co. AL.  Twitter: @OurGeorgiaRoots

Now, if you are not blogging, posting or tweeting but you want to – no worries! Here are a few GREAT resources to get you on your way!:-)

• GeneaBloggers.com – A one stop shop for ALL things related to Genealogy blogging! If T2 doesn’t have it – it’s not to be found!:-) Twitter: @GeneaBloggers
• Forums at LowCountry Africana – LowCountry Africana has recently launched its own Message Board! If you have South Carolina, Florida and/or Georgia Ancestors, this is the place for you! Twitter: @LCAfricana
• GenealogyWise - Think Facebook meets Genealogy!  Twitter: @GenealogyWise
• African-American Genealogy Examiner- Great articles from seasoned Genealogist, Michael Hait! Twitter: @MichaelHait
• AfricanRootsPodcast- Weekly podcast STUFFED with informative Genealogy goodies presented by uber-knowledgeable, Angela Walton-Raji. Twitter: @AYWalton

So as I exit from my soapbox, I leave you with a quote from Angela Walton-Raji that sums up this post:

Share what you find, and also share what you seek!

Luckie.

I have always believed my 4th {Paternal} Grandmother Annie FAVER CARTER was owned by Thomas FAVER {d. 1859} and/or his Son, Lewis D. FAVER of Wilkes Co. {Note: a belief I have yet to be able to confirm!}

Thomas had only 2 “Annies” identified in his 1859 Estate Appraisal. One “Annie” age 1/4 {whose Mother appears to be “Hannah”} & one “Anna” age 1 {whose Mother appears to be “Emily”}.

Neither of these would be old enough to be my Annie FAVER, born about 1850.

I do see that Thomas “advanced” his kids 23 slaves {value: $16,575.00} over his lifetime & that at the time of the appraisal, 85 slaves {value: $57,600.00} were found in the possession of his Administrators – William CALLAWAY, James H. SPRATLIN & L. TURNER Jr.

So the entire “value” of human life was determined to be $74,175.00. For the record – YES, I am as bitter as I sound. Okay, moving on… whew!

After the value was determined it appears the FAVER slaves were divided into 7 Lots & disbursed between – Charles L. FAVOR, James D. FAVOR, William D. DALTON , William HOWARD,  Daniel WALKER, William W. FAVOR & Lewis D.  FAVOR. All previous advancements have been noted along with the newly acquired slaves.

Thomas’ widow, Nancy H. FAVER was identified as Lot A & received 13 slaves.

All of the FAVER slaves are identified by name & age.

Now… my questions:

• If my Annie were owned by Thomas, his widow Nancy or children, she would most certainly be listed here, right?
• Who were the two 11 year old, female slaves appearing on the 1860 Slave Schedules of Nancy & Lewis D. Faver? Could they be the two 9 year old slaves – Winny & Henis (?) appearing on the estate appraisal?
• Annie had a Daughter in 1867, Anna WRIGHT. Could Annie have been sold to a WRIGHT before the 1859 appraisal?
• Where do I look for my Annie now?!

Soooo frustrating…

Luckie.

What would Genealogy be without the persistent mysteries each new “find” presents? BORING!:-)

A couple days ago I was thrilled to discover an image of Mandy FAVER BOLTON & her Husband, Henry BOLTON online at the Digital Library of Georgia.

Without doubt, I believe Aunt Mandy will lead me to learning more about the family of my 4th Grandmother, Annie FAVER CARTER {b. 1850} from Wilkes Co.

So how cool was it to also discover this funeral program {also via the DLG} of Mamie FAVORS BOLTON in 1982?!

For a second I thought Mandy FAVER BOLTON & Mamie FAVORS BOLTON could be the same person, but that would be impossible. The funeral program says Mamie was born in 1891 which would have meant she was 11 yrs. when the image with Henry Bolton was taken in 1902.

Hmmm… so who was Mamie? The Daughter of Mandy & Henry Bolton? NOPE! From the funeral program it looks like Mamie was Henry’s WIFE too!

Okay, I need a timeline!

• 1902 – image taken of Mandy Faver Bolton & Henry Bolton in Derbyshire, Wilkes Co.
• 1910 – census shows Amanda & Henry Bolton living in Derbyshire, Wilkes Co. with children. It lists Henry’s age as 40 yrs. & Amanda’s as 35 yrs. {Question – did they really look that young in the 1902 picture?}
• 1920 – census {note spelling error} shows Mamie & Henry Bolton living in Derbyshire, Wilkes Co. with children. Henry’s age is listed as 56 yrs. & Mamie’s age is 28 yrs. Henry’s children with Mandy are still in the home but older respectively. There are more children listed from the union of Henry & Mamie.
• 1982 – Henry is already deceased & Mamie passes away in Wilkes Co.

So Henry BOLTON married two FAVER/FAVORS women who were from the same area & roughly 16 yrs. apart in age?

Also interesting, Mamie’s funeral services were officiated by C.P. WRIGHT, which is also a Wilkes Co. surname of mine!

It’s still hard for me to believe that Henry & Mandy were in their 30’s when the 1902 image was taken?! That would mean that my Annie would have been 25 yrs. older than Mandy?

Hmmm… I need to find Mandy’s parents because that would also mean Aunt Mandy was not the 3 yr old. “Manda” from the estate of Thomas FAVER in 1859! Just so I don’t forget, Mamie’s Parents were Paris & Janie FAVORS.

Geez, could this be easy for once?!:-)

Luckie.