By Charlotte A. Clark-Frieson
Hello all:
As I continue to weave the story of our ancestors, I am now in my 2nd year of researching the origins and lineage of the Peters family, and find it utterly fascinating. The reason why I have become so passionate about it, is because it goes to the heart of my mother, the late Mrs. Hattie Lee Peters Clark, an AMAZING woman, whom I love and adore to this day. And it tells me who she was….and why she was such an amazing woman. Thus it informs me about who I am. All of my mother’s friends affectionately called her “Pete” and for me, even that has taken on new meaning.
So, it is in my mother’s honor, that I am proud to present this Peters Genealogy. I thank my cousin Gene Thornton, (on my dad’s side) for helping to “jump-start” my research. For many years, he and I worked together as the family historians for our family (The Baker Family).
What you will read on this page will take into account all the information that has already been put together by Beatrice Coley, and Ynez Clements Gilmer and others, especially cousin Wilda Gunn, who’ve shared so much information with me just through our many conversations.
It is important to keep in mind that the State of Alabama’s laws did not require the recording of birth or death certificates until 1908. The statewide recording of marriage certificates began in 1936 and divorce certificates in 1950. So, much of the information from years prior to 1908 is derived from other sources.
Much of my research was done by examining the historical records found on Ancestry.com. That is how I have managed to construct the Peters Family Tree found on this site. If any of you have a membership on Ancestry.com, you are welcome to connect and plug into my family tree. The records there include census records, and some marriage, death, military and other public records. But, we have to remember that not all information is reliable, and so it is a constant process of checking and re-checking and fact-checking to provide you with an accurate statement of our family’s origin and movements. Also, it is very difficult to find the women, unless you know who they married, especially if they married young. We also have to remember that many of our ancestors could neither read nor write, which made it next to impossible to find records. Many are found with wrong or mis-spelled names. I think sometimes, the census workers themselves couldn’t write or spell all that good either, so it’s a double whammy. But irregardless of all let’s be grateful for what we do have.
In narrating this genealogy, I have tried to some-what “color-code” the narrative to alert the reader with respect to the accuracy of the information presented here. Anything shown in bright blue is information that is documented, however does not manifest a true and accurate connection within the genealogy. Blue text would indicate that there is presumed to be SOME connection, however, it is not clear. Any text that appears in bright red, indicates a question (in my own mind… sort of like thinking out loud) about the relationship or circumstances surrounding the information represented here.
ROOT OF THE TREE
The root of our family tree begins in Oak Bowery, (Chambers County) Alabama with Jim Peters and his wife Johnnie K Peters, (Also known as Joana). So on the diagram of the tree, you find this couple at the very top of the diagram.
Bear in mind that Ynez Clements Gilmer has shared with me that the root actually begins in GEORGIA with the white slave-owner Jim Peters. But for the purpose of getting started I’m starting the genealogy with Jim and Joana.
It is also important to bear in mind that the elder sons who appear in the lineage of Jim Peters, may not be the sons of Joana (Johnnie K), since, according to Ynez and Bea’s narrative, their mother may have been named Sara, and only one of them may have actually been fathered by Jim, because the others were fathered by the White slave-owner, Jim Peters in Georgia.
JIM PETERS and JOHNNIE K (JOANA) PETERS
After a diligent search of the 30-pages of census records for the 1870 Census for Oak Bowery, Chambers County, Alabama, there wasn’t a single sign of a Peters present in Oak Bowery in 1870. So, for me the logical conclusion is that The Peters migrated or were brought to Oak Bowery between 1870 and 1880.
In my research, Jim and Joana Peters are first found in the 1880 Census. I was actually searching on my great grandfather, John Clark Peters, and in that process, this census record came up, and LO AND BEHOLD, there was my great great grandfather, and his entire family situated in Oak Bowery, Alabama. The following chart shows how I interpreted this information.
Jim and Joana Peters Family as shown in the 1880 census records for Oak Bowery, Alabama.
Jim (Born around 1823) and Joana Peters (Born around 1840) had the following Children:
(Names shown in blue, are the names of males who could have been sons of Jim and Joana, but no connection could be verified by the data available to me).
SON ………………………………. John Clark Peters [Age 26-born in GA around 1853] (My Grandfather)
SON?……………………………… Jim Peters [Age 25?-born in GA around Dec. 1855]
SON? ……………………………… Hal (Harold) Peters [Age 25-born in GA around 1855]
SON? …………………………….. Preston Peters [Age 21-born in GA around 1858]
SON……………………………….. Henry Peters [Age 21-born in GA around 1859]
SON……………………………….. James Harlin [Age 17-born in GA around 1863]
SON ……………………………….. Sweed Peters [Age 15-born in GA around 1865]
DAUGHTER ……………………… Carrie Peters [Age 10-Born in AL Around 1870]
DAUGHTER ……………………… Elizie Peters [Age 8-Born in AL Around 1872]
SON ……………………………….. Willie Peters [Age 4-Born in AL Around 1876]
Two additional children had not been born at the time of this census, but showed up in 1900
DAUGHTER ……………………….. Ida Peters [Age 0-Born four (4) years after this census]
SON ………………………………… Seabon Peters [Age 0-Born six (6) years after this census]
All the children were born in Georgia up until Carrie: Starting with Carrie their places of birth change to Alabama
What we CAN SAY about this information is that each of us has descended from one of these sons or daughters of Jim and Joana Peters.
QUESTIONS ABOUT JIM AND JOANA
Jim Peters was born in Georgia. Bea tells the story of Jim Peters, the slave owner, who fathered male children by his Negro slave Sarah. Sarah was married to Negro slave Jim Peters and she supposedly had one son by him.
The white slave-owner, Jim Peters thinking he was doing a kind gesture toward Sarah, left her in his will to his wife. When Jim Peters died, his wife immediately sold Sarah off, leaving Negro Jim Peters to raise the sons until he married again. My questions have to do with the sons who were born in Georgia. I wondered if the elder sons, (John, Jim, Jim, Harold, Preston, Henry, James, and Sweed) were sons of Sarah (who was sold off) and did Jim later marry Johnnie K (Joana) and father the other children (Carrie, Eliza, Willie and General) with her in Oak Bowery, Alabama? Or, perhaps, Jim married Joana (In Georgia) prior to coming to Oak Bowery? These are just some of my pressing questions, that occur because I am unable to make the full connection between Jim and Sarah in Georgia, and Jim and Joana of Oak Bowery.
This question (above) was partially answered by my discovery (through one of the later census records) that indicated that Joana (Johnnie K) came with Jim to Oak Bowery from Georgia. Therefore, even if she WASN’T the first wife, she was not native to Oak Bowery.
JIM AND JOHNNIE K’S CHILDREN
** VERY IMPORTANT **
As we continue to follow the Peters’ Genealogy we now come to Jim’s children, to learn what happened to each of them. As we look at each son or daughter, we will eventually find ourselves in one of these lines.
JOHN CLARK PETERS (1854-1919)
(Married to Charlotte Foreman Peters)
Now, let us begin with the oldest son (oldest to my knowledge from the records). This was my great great grandfather. I often wondered why it was I was so un-familiar and unacquainted with my relatives in the Peters family. But, as I started to research my great great grandfather, John Clark Peters, born around 1854, it became clear to me.
He was the oldest son by many years. He was five (5) years older than Henry, Nine (9) years older than James, and Eleven (11) years older than Sweed. So, he grew on up and got away and left everybody else there. John Clark Peters, married my great grandmother, Charlotte, who was a Foreman, and also from a large family living in Oak Bowery. I believe the census record showed that Charlotte Foreman came from a family of about 15 children. I find myself wondering how they managed to feed all of those children?
I was able to locate the marriage record for my great great grandfather and grandmother. They married on October 24, 1880 in, Chambers County, Alabama. But, the record shows that her name was Charlotte Hill. Does this mean that this was her second (2nd) marriage? I don’t know but that is a good question.
I found my great great grandfather in the 1900 census for Oak Bowery, with my great great grandmother Charlotte Foreman Peters, and their four children: Oscar, Hattie Mae, Ulysses, and Mary Willis (my grandmother).
Here are John Clark Peters’ Children listed in Chronological Order, showing who they married and their lineage.
They were all born in Oak Bowery, Chambers County, Alabama.
SON: Loving Oscar Peters [2/18/1885 – 11/7/1964] Married Mary Rose Peters, and had NO children
DAUGHTER: Hattie (Spelled Hatty) Mae Peters [1/1/1888 – 4/8/1938] Married Wesley Glaze and was given a foster son, John William Glaze
SON: Ulysses Simpson Peters [1/1/1901 – 1/31/1963] Never Married and had no children
DAUGHTER: Mary Willis (Mae Will) Peters [Born 1887 – 1/13/1958] Married and DIVORCED a man named Andrew Pullins. Gave birth to one (1) daughter, My mother, Hattie Lee Peters Clark. Also later in life, married a “Harris”, but no record or evidence of who he was
GRANDDAUGHTER: My mother, Hattie Lee Peters Clark [5-5-1915 – 2-23-1989 ] Married Wilkie Clark, and gave birth to Charlotte A. Clark-Frieson.
FOSTERED GRANDSON: John William Glaze [2-23-1936 – 10-12-1987] Married and later DIVORCED Gloria Howard Glaze of Roanoke, Alabama
GREAT-GRANDAUGHTER: Charlotte A. Clark-Frieson [9-11-1953 Roanoke, Alabama] Married Clarence Frieson, Jr., and gave birth to Wilkie Sherard Frieson, and Je’Lynn Mikele Frieson.
GREAT-GREAT GRANDSON: Wilkie Sherard Frieson is unmarried, and has NO (0) children.
GREAT-GREAT GRANDDAUGHTER: Je’Lynn Mikele Frieson is unmarried. Gave birth to James McKenzie Frieson, and Kynnedy Brianna
After many years in Oak Bowery, later on, John Clark Peters and his entire family seemingly started migrating toward northern Alabama. Some stopped in Roanoke, but most went on to the Anniston area. But, the record shows that (some time or another) they split up. By the time she died, Charlotte was no longer a Peters. She was a Lindsey. The record shows that John Clark Peters died in Alexandria, Alabama, which was a suburb of Anniston. I plan on getting a copy of his death certificate in the future to get more details about his death. I would like to learn exactly where he was when he died, who took care of his burial, and where his grave is.
THE SECOND (2ND) JIM PETERS
(Married To Martha J Peters) and (Later Married to Lula Peters)
Who were they in relation to Jim and Joana Peters?
This is perhaps as good a time as any, to mention a second Jim Peters, who is presently disconnected from the main family tree at this point in time, because I have not succeeded in connecting him to Jim and Joana Peters.
The first time I encountered this Jim, was in the 1900 Census record. He was married to a woman named Martha J. Peters.
The question is “Who was this Jim Peters, in connection with our great great grandfather Jim?” He could have been another of Jim’s sons. He was very close in age to Hal who was 45 when the 1900 Census was taken. And like John, Hal Preston, Henry, James and Sweed, he was born in Georgia, his father was born in Georgia, but he stated that his mother was from South Carolina. Could this have been a mistake?
Another burning question I have is: “Could Jim have been Hal’s twin brother?” They were too close together in age (both born around 1855). It’s possible that Hal could have been born early in 1855, and Jim could have been born in December of that same year. But, at the moment, it’s just a GUESS…. CONJECTURE!
At any rate, here is what Jim Peter’s family looked like in 1900.
Amazingly, by the next time the Census rolled around, Jim’s family looked very different. He had been married for 7 years to a woman named Lula, but the children were the same with a new son and a new daughter added.
They were represented on the United States Federal Census for 1910, and based on the information found in the 1910 Census record, here’s what the family looked like.
Just to satisfy my own curiosity, some great questions are: What happened to Martha J? Did she die during the period between 1900 and 1910? Did they divorce? It really looked to me like Jim had a penchant for YOUNGER women. Did he become disenchanted with Martha J. and just put her away? It would be really tragic to learn that she became ill and died leaving him to raise the five children, and he found a young wife who could help him keep house and take care of the kids. Will we ever find out?
Another aspect of this information that I find somewhat humorous is that poor Jim, seemed to have problems with arithmetic. In 1900, he was 44, so over the 10 years between 1900 and 1910, he managed to only age 3 years. I would imagine that is a feat few could accomplish in that day and age.
Now, here’s what Jim and Lula’s family looked like in 1920:
Now, 10 years later, in 1930, it was very difficult to identify Jim, because the family make-up was totally different. This chart represents the family in 1930. A whole new set of children.
Judging from the chart above, it would be very difficult to know that the Jim and Lula Peters from 1910, were the SAME Jim and Lula Peters described above (in 1930). But, from all indications, I feel very confident in concluding that it was. On reason for this is that couples were having so many children, until it is easy to imagine all the previous children growing up and leaving home, while the matriarch continues to give birth to younger children who remain in the home. It is very easy to believe that over a period of 20 years, the former family had sufficient time to grow up marry and migrate from the homestead. By all indications, Lula birthed at least five (5) more children after Jim E. and Ella M.
The next phase of my research on Jim will be to attempt to trace what happened to each of his children. Any information that I have available to me, will appear below. If there is no information provided, that means there has been no information found.
SON: Sylvester Peters [Born April, 1888]
DAUGHTER: Doshia Peters [Born May 5, 1890-Died September, 1977] – Doshia married Mose Barrow, who was also from Oak Bowery or was there for some reason. I located a census record that showed Mose counted in his older brother, Author’s household. But, at any rate, Doshia and Mose married, and they went to reside in Anniston, Alabama, which is also where my mother grew up, too. I have fond childhood memories of Doshia (whom we fondly called Cousin “Trip”) and Cousin Mose Barrow. They had 11 children.
These are Doshia and Moses’ Children (The Birth Order may not be correct): Margaret Barrow Morton, Beulah Barrow Jelks, Laura Barrow Glover, Ulysses Barrow, Joseph Barrow, Jim Barrow, Carrie Barrow Ferguson, and Rubye Barrow Byrdsong. If you would like to see Doshia and Mose’s family tree in graphic format, Please visit this link.
But among my mama’s favorites, was their daughter Rubye. Rubye married a man named Edward Byrdsong, and they had three (3) children, including a son, James Edward Byrdsong, and two (2) daughters Acquilla Byrdsong Crook and Jacquelyn Byrdsong Rives, all living with Doshia and Mose, in Anniston. My mother’s family lived on the next street over, “G” Street, in South Anniston. My mama adored these cousins, Jacquelyn and Acquilla (“Jackie” and “Quil”) , and they used to come to Roanoke, and spend every summer with us. We had some great times in Anniston, and in Roanoke. I recall as a child, getting a good whippin from Cousin Trip, because I almost set her house on fire. She had plastic curtains, and I was playing with matches. Boy did I get it!!!
DAUGHTER: Sarah Peters [Born, Nov, 1892]
SON: Doyle Peters [Born April, 1896] – After the 1910 Census, Doyle Peters does not appear anywhere in the record again until 1940. But, he does show up in 1917, when he registers to serve in the Army during World War I. The birth information shown on the Registration card is consistent with birth information given in the 1900 Census. In 1940, Doyle is reported on the Census for Anniston, Calhoun County, Alabama, and is residing in the home with Doshia Peters Barrow and her husband Moses Barrow. He reports the head of this household as his “brother-in-law.”
DAUGHTER: Fannie Lou Peters [Born December, 1897]
DAUGHTER: Ella M. Peters []
SON: Jim E. Peters []
SON: Swede Peters [Born around 1913 – Died January 13, 1986] was the son of Jim and Lula Peters. He was born around 1913 in Oak Bowery, Chambers County, Alabama. In 1977, (according to his sister Doshia’s obituary, Swede was living in Cleveland, Ohio. Swede died on 13 Jan 1986 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio, USA.
SON: Johnny Peters []
SON: Zackery Peters [Born Around 1917] Zackery, who came to be called “Zack” was born in Oak Bowery Chambers County, Alabama, around 1917. Some records seem to reflect that he migrated to Florida.
DAUGHTER: Maude Peters [] In 1977, Maude was a Burton and lived in Sardis, New York.
SON: Douglas Peters [Born around 1924 -] Douglas is the baby son of Jim and Lula Peters, Douglas was born around 1924 in Oak Bowery. Douglas is shown in the 1930 Census for Oak Bowery, Alabama, where the family was still living at that time. According to his sister Doshia’s obituary, By 1977, he was residing in Cranberry, New Jersey. If still alive at this time, Douglas would be 90 years of age.
GRANDDAUGHTER: Kera Peters []
HAROLD “HAL” PETERS
[Married to Ida Cody (or maybe Walton) Peters]
(Who Was He in Relation to Jim and Joana Peters??)
Next we come to Harold aka “Hal” Peters, who does not show up on any census records, until 1900. On the 1900 Census Record, at age 45, Hal Peters shows up in Cusseta, Chambers County, Alabama, with his wife, Ida Cody Peters. Note here that on some later records, Harold’s wife is identified as Ida Walton. The truth of her maiden name has not been discovered as yet.
Here’s another great question. Was he one of Jim and Joana’s Sons?
IN MY MIND, Hal could have been one of Jim and Joana’s sons, which would give us an easy out. The age fits… But not wanting to “guess” about it, I am not including him AT THIS TIME, as one of the sons. But, I am including him in the genealogy.
If you’d like to see what his family tree looks like, please visit this link. The tree may be incomplete as this is a work in progress.
Here’s what Hal’s Family looked like in 1900.
Census reports taken in later years, show the following other children added to this family not included in the above diagram: Odessa, Martha, and Ida V. As late as 2011, another child, Gladys Elizabeth, shows up who died in infancy. The first mention of her in any records is in the 2011 obituary of Desabee, Jr.
Here are Harold Peters’ Children listed in Chronological Order, showing (as much as information as I have) who they married and their lineage. I’m not sure where they were born because the first time I encounter Hal, he is in Cussetta, Chambers County, Alabama. If information is provided, I will share their dates and places of birth.
DAUGHTER: Novella Peters Scott [9-1884 to 8-23-1961] Married Isaac Scott and gave birth to five (5) children: Lola L. Scott, Roy O. Scott, Ida Lou Scott, Carrie A. Scott Oliver, Isaac H. Scott “Honey Doll”, and Daniel W. Scott . Also in the Scott home was a grandson Owen Harrison born around 1926, whom we don’t have any information about.
SON: Desabee Peters [8-1888 to 3-1-1955 ] Married Agnes Peters and by 1930 was living in Birmingham. At that time, they had the following children, SON: Desabee Thaddeus Harold Peters, Jr., (10); DAUGHTER: James Edna Peters Wells, (7); DAUGHTER: Montee Peters Odom,(6); and SON: Charlie Louis Peters, (5); and DAUGHTER: Glady’s Elizabeth Peters (who died in infancy); all living in the home with them and his mother-in-law, Ida Gazaway (60) at that time.
SON: Lucius Peters [12-1890 to ] Lucius just seems to disappear off the face of the earth after 1919. No records whatsoever of Lucius.
DAUGHTER: Inez Peters [1-1893 to] Seemingly NO INFORMATION on Inez. But, I did locate a death record for an Inez Williams, who died October 4, 1939, at the age of 47 in Tuskegee, Alabama. The Spouse was W.L. Williams, and the mother’s name is Ida Walton. Which matches Novella’s mother’s name. But, the father’s name is listed as “Harrison Peters.” This may be our Inez.
DAUGHTER: Odessa Peters [1896 to ]
DAUGHTER: Aldonia aka “Dona” Peters [6-10-1900 to 2-1986] Married to Samuel George Clements (born in Kentucky) In 1940, she was residing in Chicago, Illinois. They had six children: DAUGHTER: Julia Hunter Hart, Ada Mae Clements; SON: John Hunter; SON: George H. Clements; SON: Larry Clements; DAUGHTER: Ynez Clements;
DAUGHTER: Martha Peters [1900 to] Martha just seems to disappear off the face of the earth after 1919. No records whatsoever of Martha.
DAUGHTER: Ida V. Peters [1903 to] Ida V. Peters also disappears, and all searches come back void.
DAUGHTER: Glady’s Elizabeth Peters is a daughter who died as an Infant, according to Desabee Peters, Jr. obituary.
PRESTON AND CHARLOTTE PETERS
(Married To Charlotte “Lottie” Benford)
Who Was He in Relation to Jim and Joana Peters??
In my research, I also encountered a Preston Peters and wife “Charlotte” in Oak Bowery, but I couldn’t legitimately make any connection between Preston and our great great grandpa Jim and Johnnie K (Joana).
Preston and Charlotte show up as a separate household, on the same (1880) Census Record as Jim and Joana. Preston is 22 and Charlotte is 19. At this point, they have NO (0) children.
The reason why this became important to me is because I was also looking for my great grandmother Charlotte, so Preston’s wife Charlotte got my attention. But, after re-checking and comparing the facts I was able to conclude that Preston’s wife Charlotte was not related to me and was not my great great grandmother.
Could Preston have been a brother of Jim? Not likely. Could Preston have been another of the older sons of Jim (perhaps four (4) years younger than my great-grandfather John Clark Peters)? Very likely!!
IN MY MIND, Preston could have been one of Jim and Joana’s sons, which would give us an easy out. But not wanting to “guess” about it, I am not including him AT THIS TIME, as one of the sons.
Another great question for research is Who was Preston, and what was his relationship –if any– to Great Great Grandfather Jim Peters?
UPDATED INFORMATION: Persistent research has brought forth great results, and some very good information about Preston. He and Charlotte did eventually have children. Preston and Charlotte Married on October 27, 1878 in Opelika, Lee County, Alabama. In 1880, the couple were living in Oak Bowery, however, at some point in time, the family members began to migrate. Some to Opelika, and others to Ohio. There was a daughter Lottie, but not a lot of information about her. According to records, Cora was born around 1895 (15 Years after the 1880 Census) in Opelika, Lee County, Alabama, but died September 20, 1953, in Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio.
Based on information found in other family trees, I was able to discover the following children of Preston and Charlotte Peters.
DAUGHTER: Narcis Peters Boyd [Born around 1882 – Died March 27, 1938]. Narcis was the daughter of Preston and Charlotte “Lottie” Benford Peters. She was married to Isham Boyd. Census records for the early 1900s show that they had the following children: Ethel Boyd and Willie B. Boyd. Narcis died March 27, 1938 in Opelika, Lee County, Alabama.
SON: Moses S. Peters [Born: 1882 — Died: August 11, 1956] He was born around 1882. He married a woman named Ida M. Peters. He died in Opelika, Lee County, Alabama, August 11, 1956. Moses at age 45, showed up in the 1930 Census for Opelika, Lee County, Alabama. He was there as Head of Household, with his wife, Ida M. Peters, with children Moses Peters, (22) and Ruth Mae Peters (20), Rosalyn Peters, and Lottie Lee Peters.
SON: Wilbert Peters [Born around 1983] I located him in the 1910 Census, I found “Lottie” (50) living in Opelika, Alabama with her father, Gabriel (74) and mother Narcis (62). There were also two (2) grandsons in this home, Wilbert and Chester. (Only on the Census record the names are shown as “Peterson”. At this time, Lottie stated on the Census report that she was widowed, which means that Preston had probably died.
SON: Chester Peters [Born 1895] was also found in the 1910 Census, with “Lottie” at age 50, living in Opelika, Alabama with her father, Gabriel (74) and mother Narcis (62). There were the two (2) grandsons in this home, Wilbert and Chester. (Only on the Census record the names are shown as “Peterson”). At this time, Lottie stated on the Census report that she was widowed, which means that Preston had probably died by 1910.
DAUGHTER: Cora Peters [1895- Died: September 20, 1953] According to records, Cora was born around 1895 (15 Years after the 1880 Census) in Opelika, Lee County, Alabama, but died September 20, 1953, in Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Ohio.
Based on information that has been researched so far, here’s what Preston’s family tree looks like on Ancestry.com:
HENRY PETERS
The next oldest brother is Henry, born around 1859, and born between the older son, John, and the next brother, James Harlin Peters… and so far, my record search has shown me no information on Henry. I do not know if he married; died at a young age, had any children or anything. All searches on Henry Peters, return void.
JAMES HARLIN PETERS
(First Married to Ella Pinson Morris Peters)
(Second Marriage to Pearl Peters)
James Harlin Peters, born around 1863, was the third (3) son of Jim and Joana Peters. [IF HAL AND PRESTON PETERS WERE TRULY SONS OF JIM AND JOANA, THAT WOULD MAKE JAMES HARLIN EITHER THEIR 4TH or 5TH SON] The research shows that James Harlin Peters had two (2) wives. The first wife’s name was Ella Pinson Morris Peters. She was from Chicago. They had one daughter together, her name was Ethel M. Peters. I assume they divorced, and then he married Pearl. There is no information about Pearl, so we don’t know Pearl’s maiden name. But, James Harlin Peters and Pearl had two (2) daughters. Their daughters were: Myrtis Peters and Frattie Lou Peters. I have not located any information to inform me if Myrtis ever married, but Frattie Lou did take the name Mackin.
Researching James Harlin Peters was difficult, because at times there was a lot of conflicting information about his age. It seems as if the poor fella at times didn’t know how old he really was, so at various times, his age shows up different.
James’ daughter, Ethel married a man name Jessie Tierce Colvard. They had two children, a son and a daughter, Hoyt and Jeraldine. Jessie died in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on March 19, 1958, and it seems that there is no further record beyond Hoyt and Jeraldine.
Here’s what James Harlin Peters’ genealogy looks like on Ancestry.com:
SWEED PETERS
(Married to Carrie Peters) – not his sister
First of all, let’s not confuse THIS Sweed Peters the son of Jim and Joana Peters (married to Carrie); with Swede Peters, the Grandson of Jim and Joana by way of Jim and Lula Peters; or Sweetie Peters, which was either the middle or “Nick-name” given to Susie Sweetie Peters Hall, one of the younger daughters of this Sweed Peters, and Swede Peters. It is very confusing at times, especially when looking at records on Ancestry.com.
As far as I can tell, “Sweed” (with its many varied spellings, was a very popular name with this family.
The first Sweed Peters was born in 1865, fathered between seven (7) to nine (9) children. At the moment, I am not totally certain about his lineage. I found Sweed in the 1910 United States Federal Census for Oak Bowery
At that time, this is what his family looked like: The following chart shows my interpretation of this family:
Now, let’s see if we can trace Sweed and Carrie’s children: Whatever information is currently available will appear below.
SON: Jimmy (Jim) Peters [4/8/1887] Jimmie (Jim) was the oldest son of Sweed and Carrie Peters. They lived at Oak Bowery. His Draft registration card shows that he was born 4/8/1887. He stated that he was born in Opelika, and he was living in Anniston at the time, and working at U.S. East Iron, and U.S. Construction and Pipe Company. On the draft card, he stated that he had a wife and child. This leads me to believe that I may be able to trace his where-a-bouts in the Anniston-Calhoun County area.
DAUGHTER: Cora Howard [] The composition of Sweed’s household seems to indicate that his older daughter, Cora Peters, had married a “Howard.” They either divorced or separated (the record does not show) and then Cora returned to Oak Bowery, to her mama and daddy (Sweed and Carrie) with her child — a son — Jessie, who was also counted in that Census report as Sweed’s grandson. He was just shy of two (2) years old at that time.
DAUGHTER: Neta P. Peters [Born – Died]
DAUGHTER: Adelia B. Peters [Born – Died]
DAUGHTER: Martha J. Peters [Born – Died]
DAUGHTER: Susie Sweetie Peters Hall [BORN around 1903 DIED]: Although it is still vague (to me) what actually happened to all of Sweed’s other sons and daughters, it is KNOWN that the “Sweetie Peters” shown at 7 years of age on the Census Record, became Susie Sweetie Peters Hall, and had a daughter Sarah, and Sarah had daughters: Wilda Vines Gunn, son: Reverend Warren Vines; and daughter, Valerie Smith . “Sweetie” Peters was the baby daughter of Sweed and Caroline Peters. She married the late Frank Hall. They had three daughters and one son: The Daughters are: Myrtis, Sara and Mildred and the only son was, Frank Hall, Jr.
SON: Joe N. Peters [Born – Died]
DAUGHTER: Ada Peters [Born- Died]
CARRIE PETERS
The next sibling is the first girl I encountered Carrie, born around 1870, and born between the older brother, Sweed, and the next younger sister, Eliza… and so far, my record search has shown me no information on Carrie. I do not know if she married; died at a young age, had any children or anything. All searches on Carrie Peters (other than the 1890 Census, return void.
ELIZA PETERS
The next sibling is the second girl I encountered Eliza, born around 1872, and born between her older sister, Carrie, and the next younger sister, Willie… and so far, my record search has shown me no information on Eliza. I do not know if she married; died at a young age, had any children or anything. All searches on Eliza Peters (other than the 1890 Census, return void.
WILLIE R. PETERS
The next sibling is the knee-baby, Willie, born around 1876, and born between his older sister, Eliza, and the baby (according to the records), General… and so far, my record search has shown me no information on Willie. I do not know if he married; died at a young age, had any children or anything. All searches on Willie Peters (other than the 1890 Census, return void. Upon beginning my research, I thought Willie would end up being the baby of this family… But then, General Peters kept on popping up in the searches. So, he will be the last son of Jim and Joana, unless someone comes up with more siblings.
1900 Census
By 1900, Joana shows up in Cusseta, Alabama. By this time, she is 59 years old, and widowed with two children living in the home with her are: Ida, 16, and Seabon 13. Based on this Census report, Joana reported that she came from Georgia, so the 1900 Census answers that question for us. Joana also reported that she was the mother of 13 and 9 were living, so this is consistent (or at least very close) to the numbers of children listed at the beginning, with the exception of 1 missing. What this does certainly tell me is that sometime between 1880 and 1900, Great Great Grandpa Jim Peters died and Great Great Grandmother Joana moved to Cusseta.
IDA PETERS (Age 16)
The next sibling is the third girl I encountered Ida, born around 1884, and born sometime after her older brother, Willie, and the next younger brother, Seabon… and so far, my record search has shown me no information on Ida. I do not know if she married; died at a young age, had any children or anything. All searches on Ida Peters (other than the 1900 Census, have returned void.
SEABON PETERS (Age 13)
The last sibling is a son, Seabon. born around 1886, and born two years after his older sister, Ida. Evidence found in an 1922 Anniston City Directory shows Seabon at age 36 years old, working as a laborer and residing at 212 South Leighton Avenue, Anniston, Alabama; and at last I was able to locate evidence that Seabon Peters did marry. This was based on a death record of Cora Peters. This record shows her spouse as Seabon Peters. So, Seabon’s wife’s name was Cora. Cora died April 18, 1924 in Anniston, Calhoun County, Alabama and she was born the same year as Seabon. Some very short time after Cora’s death, Seabon married a VERY YOUNG woman named Ophelia Jackson. Within a very very short time, at age 26, Ophelia, too, was dead.
Another interesting fact: Around the same time Seabon was employed and living in Anniston, Alabama, his nephew Doyle was also there too, working as a Porter.
Strangely, I have not found one Census record that actually shows Seabon and Cora with both the children, Rachel and Seabon, Jr. Here’s what the family looked like for 1920, and 1930…
My father is General Peters, born in Danway (near Opelika Ala. My mother is Mary Fannie Barrow Peters. My siblings are Willie R. Peters, Charlotte Peters Lewis, Zilphia Peters Brooks, Joann Peters Fields, and myself Olivia Peters Holden.
I have a niece who resides in Opelika her name is Juanita Peters
Slaughter and is the Peters historian. She is older but has keep more records of everyone. She is the daughter of Ellis Peters.
Hello Olivia; I am Charlotte A. Clark-Frieson, and I’m the researcher who developed this website. I am so happy to know you. Please email me your contact information, so that I can document your family. You can email me at caclarkfrieson@msn.com. I would love to get in touch with you.