About Simon Drakeford Descendants
HISTORY
The basic root of our family tree can be traced back to Simon and Sallie Drakeford. Simon and Sallie were born in the American colony and were enslaved by John Drakeford. John Drakeford died about 1855 and the property inventory from the probated will identified 33 enslaved belonging to the estate. Among those listed were Simon, Sally, and children (Elizabeth and Little Lewis), Alethia and child (Adline), Nancy and child (Becky), Thomas, and Maria and child Seaborn. Researching the Freeman Bank Records led me to a bank record for James Drakeford who was living in Tuskegee, Alabama. The bank record listed the names of his parents and siblings and provided information about two more children, James, and Margaret. James was living in Tuskegee, Macon County, Alabama, with his wife and two children according to the Freeman Bank Record and the 1870 Federal census for Tuskegee, Macon County, Alabama. James provided the names of his parents and siblings on the bank record. I have been unable to determine the status of Margaret, plus her children (Powell and Emily), and her sister, Elizabeth. Simon's taproot branches out to take in the Gaskin(s)(Nancy Drakeford) and Kirkland (Leitha (Alethia) Drakeford) families. Along with their brothers, James, and Lewis, they make up the basic Drakeford-Gaskin-Kirkland roots of our family.
Simon was born about 1810 in South Carolina according to the 1870 Federal Census. He was born enslaved, and he was emancipated about April 1865 with the Emancipation Proclamation signed by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, and the Union Army’s engagement in Camden. After emancipation Simon was a farmer who owned a dog, for which he paid a tax on in 1867. Simon died about 1872 after about 7 years of freedom. What was it like for Simon to be his own person after being enslaved for most of his life. The same question can be applied to each of the children as well as for his wife, Sallie.
Researching the Drakeford family has been unique in several ways. Chief among the reasons is the uniqueness as it applies to African Americans. My research to date reveals that just about all African Americans with the Drakeford surname trace back to Kershaw County, South Carolina.
BACKGROUND
Research to connect all descendants of Simon and Sallie is ongoing using a combination of traditional research (i.e., census, land, probate, vital documents, and oral history), and DNA testing.
This family tree would not be possible if not for the contribution of each of you, and I’m so thankful for your assistance. It has been a wonderful journey enhanced by the opportunity to have met most of you.
REUNION
The 2023 reunion was rescheduled for July 25-28, 2024, and will be in Baltimore, Maryland. Further details will be provided by the Planning Committee.
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Getting Around There are several ways to browse the family tree. The Tree View graphically shows the relationship of selected person to their kin. The Family View shows the person you have selected in the center, with his/her photo on the left and notes on the right. Above are the father and mother and below are the children. The Ancestor Chart shows the person you have selected in the left, with the photograph above and children below. On the right are the parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. The Descendant Chart shows the person you have selected in the left, with the photograph and parents below. On the right are the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Do you know who your second cousins are? Try the Kinship Relationships Tool. Your site can generate various Reports for each name in your family tree. You can select a name from the list on the top-right menu bar.
In addition to the charts and reports you have Photo Albums, the Events list and the Relationships tool. Family photographs are organized in the Photo Index. Each Album's photographs are accompanied by a caption. To enlarge a photograph just click on it. Keep up with the family birthdays and anniversaries in the Events list. Birthdays and Anniversaries of living persons are listed by month. Want to know how you are related to anybody ? Check out the Relationships tool. |
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