Thomas Wright's Diary

Old Place 1933

Well, seems my Pops, was quite a gunman. Killed least three men. All for a lady named Betsy, that more than likely was  Momma. Poppy who I am named after. Did serve Confederate Army of Kentucky 4th mounted Infantry.

I am researching this now, they participated in the Battle of Shiloh and Stones River. I do know that much. Hope to find out more soon. Do know he was killed, in battle. We just never knew what side.
Pops and Granma Wright were very silent on this.

Hell very silent on the whole Civil War. Momma just called it, the hard times for the Wrights. I do know growing up, all boys talked about what side each family fought on. When asked Pops just shrugged said, nothing just looked off in the distance. Always said, we don't discuss that after looking off. Could it be it really divided the Family?

Like to know what uncle Thom did, Pops always talked of him, like he loved but, hated him.
Think he ended up back in Virginia or here. 

First news from Thomas. The Family that owned the Home Stead Plantation, the Sellers. Still have a large section of land. That was part of it, the main House still stands. The Family lives in it, they were gracious to him. Showed him a few of the old slave houses. Plus they still had a few accounting books of slaves. After informing them his aunt Em was married into the family. He asked about Betsy Wright. Supposedly a slave from this Plantation given to his Grama Wright. Katherine Wright.

After that Thom said the man Mike Sellers the second. Must of been near eighty, told him his Ma was Emma her maiden name was Marten.Thom told him the year was 1858 summer. If he could look to see if a Betsy was owned by them.

Well it seems Betsy was owned by them. Born December 1843, mother name Milly Sellers former owner, Jarvis Bucannon, out of Hampton Virginia.
Mulatto, Fancy Girl. Betsy father, listed as Plantation. Thom asked, what that meant. His Father or his Granpa was the father. That is how they listed it. So Betsy would of been second generation Mulatto.

Seems it's pointing more towards Momma a slave like Theo said she was. Why did they call Momma Beth? Grace has nothing new. Should I do what Momma told me finish the Diary then read the letter from, uncle Thom. Do it the way she wants, let's not get out of wack. That is all I have. Will be getting together with both of them in two weeks.

We'll talk on what more we can do. This mystery has me hooked in.

One more thing, the New Place was part of Rivers Edge till the Harvest of 1858, all debt to Mister Bowman was paid off. Have to note that or I'll forget to tell them. Think that's it for now.

The gathering went well, Grace said she found out that the Ebaugh family lenard was part of the Union Army under Rosecranes, Army of the West.
She was still looking into it. Said something about Pioneer Brigade. Still checking that. She was shocked about Momma being Mulatto Slave also.

Me and Thom both said, this is only pointing to it.
Not sure really if she was. Theo was telling me what he thought he new on Momma. He also said best of his knowledge it was truth.

Thom found some info on the Bucannons of Hampton Virginia. They owned an Inn called The Coach Inn. They owned maybe four Slaves. Guess he ran kind of Brothel or something. They were all Fancy Girls. Meaning Mulatto, not much more is known of them. The Inn burnt down after he sold Milly. She was purchased in 1841, the Inn burnt to the ground 1842. Even if we did get more, info what more would we know.

Grace asked if the poor lady that died from being whipped was who she was named after. Pops always said she was named for a very special lady. She was like his second Ma. Thom didn't say a thing, told her yes she probably was. That Pops thought he killed her and her husband Tully. Told her no  harm in that. Named after some one Pops thought a good person.

They both stayed couple days, at the Old Place. Grace left on the Bus to Cincinnati Thom took the train back to Norfolk. All still grasping at strings to this puzzle I've managed to start.

I kept couple things from them, that I want to think on, that locket with Mommas Picture with Betsy engraved on it, the leather with Pioneer on it.
Part of the Pioneer Brigade. That I think is a clue.
Thom is going to look into what uncle Thom was up to. Said he would also keep checking into Betsy, the Sellers have invited him back to look at more info on them. Never know, Grace still looking to whether Pops and Momma lived in Ohio for awhile. Was good to see them again. Should make a point to visit Grace more, she is so close. Thom have to make trip down to see him, so close to the ocean love to see that.

Maysville Historic Society, be my next stop on this investigation. No more info. More than we had though.