A probate record from the 1840s was only a few pages long. Among livestock, tools, and
household goods was the name of my 3rd-great-grandfather and 3rd-great grandmother.
Beside their names was a value: $700 and $500. To the law, they were property. To my family, this was the beginning of our story. This story is about restoring the life behind that number.
Many of you know how long I have been researching my families ancestry. It is a tedious and ever evolving process. When you find a gem, it’s exciting times and last week I hit the mother lode! I discovered a book that is out of print but was searchable online. The book, “Chickasaw Empire” Story of the Colbert Family, written by historian Don Martini.
This book contains the full story of James Logan Colbert and his movement from England to southeastern United States. It describes how he became a trader and intermixed within the Chickasaw Indian tribe of the southeast. James Colbert’s family became one of the foremost leading families in Chickasaw history. One of his sons, Martin Colbert, owned my ancestors. They are listed by name. This Colbert story is my story!
Discovering this book about the enslaving Colbert family is one thing as it tells their story of accomplishments within their community and network at that time. What it also shows in documents is how my family helped them acquire the wealth and notoriety they had. They did not do all they did alone. It took the will, hard work and strength of my family to build this foundation they had.
Uncovering this probate record in this book which lists everything Martin Colbert had in his possession are the names of my Great Grandparents Washington and Vicy (Melvina) Colbert!
This discovery was an overwhelming mix of emotions for me as a researcher. It proved many family stories I had heard, it was proof of other additional documents I have found throughout their lives. My initial reaction was I can’t believe my eyes that I’m seeing my grandparents names in this document. Then, instantaneously the tears flowed as I realized I was seeing a monetary price next to their names. I wept. The tears were my unwavering emotional connection to them and what they may have endured for me and my family. The sheer legacy they created was immense and unmeasurable!
Washington and Vicy Colbert your 3rd-great granddaughter sees you and I celebrate you! I will tell your story and our family will continue to acknowledge what you did for us. This is just a tip of the iceberg, I will follow up with further details from this record and others as I tell the story of Wash and Melvina Colbert. For reference to my family members, Wash and Melvina were our great great grandfather Simon Love’s parents. Stay tuned!!
This is amazing news. Thankyou for sharing
What an incredible find! This is the kind of information that can open doors to your past. I am sure many in the Chickasaw Nation will want to move past it, to hide their slave owning history, but you cannot focus on their issue. Yours is to honor your ancestors!