Abigail "Abby" Summerall-Sharpe
As far as we know, Grandma Abby was the first child born to Jack and Mariah Summerall. She was born in 1852 or 53. She represents the second generation of the known Jack and Mariah family tree. She has the distinction of being the only child born into slavery. Her sister, Rosa was born in 1863, the same year President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
According to the 1880 Census Tract, Grandma and Grandpa Cezar's first child was born in 1867. A marriage register, in the Baxley Library, shows that they were officially married in 1872. We can assume that they were living as husband and wife from about 1866, which would fit the tradition age that young ladies got married at the time. She was either 14 or 15 years old, when she got married.
The 1880 Census Tract shows that between 1867 and 1879, she gave birth to six children. Her second group of birth began in 1882 with Sulah (Aunt Sulah). This second group is responsible for our Summerall Family Gathering. Many of us remember Aunt Sulah, her six sisters and brother, Thomas Sharpe.
My memory of Grandma Abby is that she was an elderly woman with brown skin, who would spend some time at my Grandma Isabell's house. She lived with her daughter, Viola, (Aunt Miss), across the pond. (My Grandma Isabell, and Aunt Sulah, lived across the pond). Cousin Ardella McCall, Aunt Viola's daughter, is the last living Grand who lived with her.
As a child, I remember hearing relatives telling a story of Grandma Abby running from the plantation where she was working. The story went like this: As she was running, others in the field shouted out: "Run Abby Run! Run Abby Run!
Grandma Abby was baptized at Ten Mile Baptist Church in 1867. Her name is noted on the Church's "Color Members Roll”, along with Grandpa Jack's. I was eight years old when she died in 1939. I can still hear the crying and the slow ringing of the church bell. Grandpa Cezar died between the years 1896 and 99, leaving her a widow with seven children.
The 1900 US Census shows that she married a Thomas Cromartie. He apparently died before 1920, because the 1920 Census tract shows her as Abby Sharpe again.
(This article is taken from Summerall Family History, being written by Rozell Gilmore.)
According to the 1880 Census Tract, Grandma and Grandpa Cezar's first child was born in 1867. A marriage register, in the Baxley Library, shows that they were officially married in 1872. We can assume that they were living as husband and wife from about 1866, which would fit the tradition age that young ladies got married at the time. She was either 14 or 15 years old, when she got married.
The 1880 Census Tract shows that between 1867 and 1879, she gave birth to six children. Her second group of birth began in 1882 with Sulah (Aunt Sulah). This second group is responsible for our Summerall Family Gathering. Many of us remember Aunt Sulah, her six sisters and brother, Thomas Sharpe.
My memory of Grandma Abby is that she was an elderly woman with brown skin, who would spend some time at my Grandma Isabell's house. She lived with her daughter, Viola, (Aunt Miss), across the pond. (My Grandma Isabell, and Aunt Sulah, lived across the pond). Cousin Ardella McCall, Aunt Viola's daughter, is the last living Grand who lived with her.
As a child, I remember hearing relatives telling a story of Grandma Abby running from the plantation where she was working. The story went like this: As she was running, others in the field shouted out: "Run Abby Run! Run Abby Run!
Grandma Abby was baptized at Ten Mile Baptist Church in 1867. Her name is noted on the Church's "Color Members Roll”, along with Grandpa Jack's. I was eight years old when she died in 1939. I can still hear the crying and the slow ringing of the church bell. Grandpa Cezar died between the years 1896 and 99, leaving her a widow with seven children.
The 1900 US Census shows that she married a Thomas Cromartie. He apparently died before 1920, because the 1920 Census tract shows her as Abby Sharpe again.
(This article is taken from Summerall Family History, being written by Rozell Gilmore.)
Cezar Sharpe
The estimated year of his birth is 1843, in the state of Georgia. The official marriage record of Appling County notes that Cezar and Abigail (Abbie) Summerall were married on April 4, 1872. The fact that the U.S. census tract lists their son, Charles’ birth year as 1867, suggests that they were already living together as husband and wife before receiving State approval.
The typical marriage ceremony before the end of slavery was “jumping the broom”. Grandpa Cezar’s occupation was rail-splitter. Splitting rails was a major occupation for his day. His next son, John was born in 1873, followed by Shelton, Nelson, Marino, Aunt Sula?, and a one year old with no first name. The second wave of his/her children began with Chelsey in 1884, followed by Colonel, Viola, Mariah Isabella, Catherine Beatrice, Polly, Thomas and ending in 1897 with the birth of Lula. Apparently, grandpa Cezar died before or soon after Lula’s birth.
The 1900 U.S. census tract shows that grandma Abby had a new husband, Thomas J. Cromartie, a man about eight years her junior. Grandpa Cezar was probably born in Tattnall County, the county that shares the northern boundary with Appling County. Many of his family members relocated to Pierce County after the Civil War. Pierce County shares the southern boundary with Appling County. Blackshear is located in Pierce County.
The known sisters and brother of Grandpa Cezar were Cornelia, Simon, Polly and Anna. Hopefully this will assist our children and young people in their pursuit of knowledge about their roots.
The typical marriage ceremony before the end of slavery was “jumping the broom”. Grandpa Cezar’s occupation was rail-splitter. Splitting rails was a major occupation for his day. His next son, John was born in 1873, followed by Shelton, Nelson, Marino, Aunt Sula?, and a one year old with no first name. The second wave of his/her children began with Chelsey in 1884, followed by Colonel, Viola, Mariah Isabella, Catherine Beatrice, Polly, Thomas and ending in 1897 with the birth of Lula. Apparently, grandpa Cezar died before or soon after Lula’s birth.
The 1900 U.S. census tract shows that grandma Abby had a new husband, Thomas J. Cromartie, a man about eight years her junior. Grandpa Cezar was probably born in Tattnall County, the county that shares the northern boundary with Appling County. Many of his family members relocated to Pierce County after the Civil War. Pierce County shares the southern boundary with Appling County. Blackshear is located in Pierce County.
The known sisters and brother of Grandpa Cezar were Cornelia, Simon, Polly and Anna. Hopefully this will assist our children and young people in their pursuit of knowledge about their roots.
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Last Updated: 4/15/2010
James A. Brown (CW)Jessie Stevens (BS)
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Mildred Shepard
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Mamie McNeil (RM)
Dorothy Thompson (VMcM)
Tommie L. Ogden (SW)
Diola Gibbs (RMcN)
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