Marietta Ray Foster’s Death and Will – 1872

African-American Genealogy & Slave Ancestry Research, Kentucky, sepia saturday, Slavery
The Standard and Times, Lebanon, Kentucky • Wed, Jan 10, 1872 Page 2

I only had one, Foster Ray…

In the Civil War pension file of my 2x great uncle Thomas Allen, I learned that the slave holder of my paternal grandmother’s grandmother and and her children was Foster Ray of Marion County, Kentucky. His wife’s name was Marietta Philips Ray. He died in 1863. Unfortunately he left his affairs in order so there was no need for probate with a list of those people he enslaved.

From the pension file of Thomas Allen

“Were you a slave? If so, state the names of all former owners, particularly the name of your owner at the date of your enlistment. Yes, only had one Foster Ray.“

Several years later Foster Ray’s wife, Marietta remarried. Her second husband was Col Thomas Foster. She died in 1872 and according to newspaper articles, there was an outpouring of sorrow. Her funeral was crowded with standing room only. The eulogy was printed as a pamphlet because so many people wanted a copy. Unfortunately I was unable to find one.

Funeral of Mrs. Foster

The funeral of Mrs. Marietta Foster late consort of Col. T.J. Foster of this city, took place at the Baptist church at ten o’clock last Wednesday morning. The respect and affection felt for the deceased was strikingly evinced on this occasion by the uncommonly large assembly which came together to pay this last sad tribute to her memory. The house was filled to its utmost capacity, the seats being nearly all occupied by ladies, while most of the gentlemen stood in the aisles and other available standing room. Many went away because they were unable to find a place in the house.
The services were opened by the chanting of a voluntary by the choir- “Silent Land,” in D minor – a most touching and appropriate musical composition, admirably interpreted by a few fine voices. Rev. V. E. Kirtley conducted the introductory services, after which the funeral discourse was preached by Rev. T.H. Cleland, D. D., from the text, “And in the garden there was a sepulchre.” The sermon was a deeply impressive and feeling one, and held the audience spell-bound from the initial sentence to the close. We shall not mar it by attempting a synopsis, as it will be printed in full in pamphlet form in a few days.
At the conclusion of the services the remains were removed and interred in Ryder Cemetery.
Few persons have ever died more generally regretted by all their acquaintances than Mrs. Foster. The kindness of her disposition and the suavity of her manners, entirely free from any trace of pride or exclusiveness upon the hearts of all with whom she came in contact and attracted them irresistibly toward her. The loss so deeply deplored by those nearest to her is sensibly felt and sincerely lamented by the whole community.
In her Will, Marietta Ray foster left some money to those she described as her former servants. My great great grandmother Clara Hoskins Greens and her daughter Sara Ray Primus were among those named.
Transcribed from The Standard and Times, Lebanon, Kentucky • Wed, Jan 17, 1872 Page 1

From the Will of Marietta Phillips Foster

About 1871 Marion, Kentucky, USA           
Will Date: 20 Nov 1871 Probate Date: 20 Nov 1871      
Item: I give and bequeath to my faithful nurse Agnes Primas one thousand dollars to be invested by my executors in a house and lot in Lebanon for her and her heirs as they may consider best for her interests.
Item: I give and bequeath to Clara Greens and to Sara Jane Primas and to Virgie Ray and to Jim Ray all of color and my former servants the sum of one hundred dollars each and to Tresey Maxwell and Betsey Doneghy (also of color) the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars each.
Item: I request that my said nephew Hugh B. Ray shall out of the remainder which may accrue to him of my estate after my husband’s death, expend the sum of five hundred dollars in the education of Tim (Jim?) the son of Stephen Doueghy and Betsey his wife.

Did they receive this money? Did it change their lives? It was hard to tell with only the censuses and other records available online. More to come.

__________________

Thomas Ray Allen 1847 – 1907
Foster Ray – Slaveholder

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Henry With the Printing Press

Cleages, Detroit, sepia saturday
Henry Cleage with the printing press about 1965

The paper web went over the space he’s sitting in from one cylinder to the other where they were inked and printed.

Henry Cleage working on the big press.

Several of the people who worked at the printing plant had cameras and were forever taking photos in the plant and out. There was a dark room and they developed the photos right there.

Henry and his brother Hugh were the co-owners, printers, and everything at Cleage Printers, which was located in back of their brother, Dr. Louis Cleage’s Clinic on Lovett.

They mainly printed throw-a-away ad papers for small grocery stores. After the 1967 Detroit riot, so many stores went out of business that Cleage Printers also had to go out of business. Henry went back to law and Hugh eventually became the care giver for their mother after she broke her hip in her 90s.

You can read all about Cleage Printers at this link.

Doris Graham Cleage, 1952

Cleages, Detroit, Grahams, sepia saturday, , , ,
Doris Graham Cleage

In this photograph my mother, Doris Graham Cleage, was at my Cleage grandparent’s house on Atkinson in Detroit, Michigan. I don’t know what the occasion was. I don’t know why she was turned like this. There were no pets. My sister and I were unlikely to be crouched down by her chair. She’s wearing both of her earrings. She wasn’t shy and also unlikely to be sobbing softly with her face hidden from the camera. I think that it would be a good photo for a story starter.

My uncle Henry Cleage probably took the photo.

Henry Cleage. 1930s. Photographer Albert B. Cleage Jr.

The year before we had moved from Springfield, Massachusetts where my father was pastor of St. John’s Congregational Church back to Detroit where he was pastor of St. Marks Presbyterian Church. The parsonage was down the street from my grandparent’s house and I walked by it every day on my way to and from kindergarten and first grade. I might add that I walked it all by myself, crossing the busy street of Linwood at the light and walking past the isolated and wooded seminary to reach school. My sister Pearl was a preschooler and stayed home playing and napping while I toiled, uphill both ways, to and from Brady Elementary School.

Kristin and Pearl. About 1952. Photo by Albert B. Cleage Jr.

In 1953 there was a church fight and my father left St. Matthew’s with 300 parishioners and started a new church, Central Congregational Church. We moved to the new parsonage on Chicago Blvd.

I first shared this photograph on Sepia Saturday in 2010, sixteen years ago.

Moving Springfield to Detroit – 1951
The Fabulous Cleages – 1952
My mother was a teacher
A Church and Two Brothers – Two Splits 1953
Tribune’s Neighorhood of the Week – Central Congregational

Backyard Snow

Detroit, Grahams, sepia saturday

Photos of my mother Doris, my aunt Mary V and their brothers Mershell and Howard Graham. My grandparents bought the house on Theodore in 1923, before my mother was born. They lived there until 1968 when they moved into a two family flat with my family. Here are some winter photos taken in the back yard.

Mary Virginia Graham – backyard 1925
My aunt Mary V., uncle Mershell and my mother, Doris
Doris four years old. Mary V, six years old. Mershell five years old. February 1927
Doris and Mary V in their backyard. Detroit Eastside 1929.
Doris, Mary V – 1929 Mother Fannie and baby Howard in the dining room window.

Mershell Cunningham Graham 1921-1927
D – DORIS Graham born 1923
Mary V. Graham Remembers Christmas – 1929
Baby’s First Photograph – Feb. 9, 1929

Pearl Reed Sings in Concert

Cleages, Indianapolis, News Items

This post includes both the article announcing the concert and a report written after the concert.

The Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis, Indiana
Fri, May 8, 1908 · Page 12

Sings in Concert at Simpson Chapel

The violin recital of Clarence Cameron White will be given this evening at Simpson Chapel under the direction of the Colored Y. M.C. A. Orchestra. He will be supported by the local talent.
The following program will be given:
Overture -“Northern Lights,” Y.M.C. A. Orchestra.
Violin–Hungarian Rhapsodie, Clarence Cameron White.
Solo- Dry Those Tears,” Miss Pearl D. Reed.
Piano–(a) Valse in sharp minor; (b) Polanalse in A major, Alberta J. Grubbs.
Violin-(a) ‘Tran Merci; (b) Scherzo, Clarence Cameron White.
INTERMISSION
Orchestra- The Spartan.” orchestra.
Vocal Miss Pearl D. Reed.
Readings- A. A. Taylor.
Selection- The Bird and Brook,” orchestra.

The Indianapolis News Indianapolis, Indiana • Sat, May 9, 1908Page 21

Clarence C. White’s Recital. The farewell appearance of. Clarence Cameron White, the colored violinist, prior to his going abroad to pursue further his study of the violin, drew a large audience to Simpson Chapel last night. Mr. White came under the auspices of the orchestra of the colored Y. M.C.A. which also contributed to the program. A pleasing feature of the program was the singing of Miss Pearl Reed. leading soprano of the Witherspoon Memorial church choir. Following is the program: Northern Lights,” Y. M. C.A. orchestra; Hungarian rhapsodie (violin), Clarence Cameron White; solo, “Oh, Dry Those Tears”, Miss Pearl D. Reed; piano, valse (a) sharp minor, (b) polonaise in A major, Mrs. Albert J. Grubbs: violin (a) Tran Merci, (b) Scherzo, Clarence Cameron White: vocal solo, “Goodbye,” Miss Pearl D. Reed: select reading, A. A. Taylor; selection, “The Bird and the Brook,” orchestra. The proceeds will be used for the purchase of a piano.

Playing the Guitar and the Piano in 1904

Indianapolis, Pearl Reed's Letters, Reeds, sepia saturday
Pearl Reed

Homer Jarrett
230 Alleghany St. City

2700 Kenwood Ave
March 8, 1904

Homer;
Your letter was handed me at supper and don’t you know, that I was rather glad to hear from you. I did not answer your letter before, because I thought you were tired of hearing such “silly” “little” letters. You have managed nicely to keep yourself out of sight lately, since I’ve come to think of it, I think it has been about a month – don’t you?

I heard of the bad news that you had from home and Homer I send you my sympathy. Are they better now, I mean the ones that were ill?

In regards to my music, why I suppose I am getting on quite well. My tutor flatters me and tells me that I am doing “Oh, so nicely”, but I don’t believe one half of what is told me. Do you know I’ve changed from the guitar to the piano? You must think me the most changeable person Homer, but I get so tired of everything so very soon, you know.

Aren’t you tired of this stuff Homer? Well I am.

Good-bye
Pearl

****

My grandmother also sang in the church choir and at other community events.

The Indianapolis Star Indianapolis, Indiana • Fri, May 8, 1908 Page 12

You can see an article after the event here -> Pearl Reed Sings in Concert

My grandmother, Pearl Doris Reed, was born in Lebanon, Kentucky in 1886. She was the youngest of the eight children of A is for Anna Allen Reed.  The four youngest, including Pearl, were the children of Buford Averitt, a white physician.  The older children had different fathers. By 1888 Pearl’s oldest brother, George, had moved to Indianapolis Indiana to work at Van Camps cannery. The rest of the family soon followed. She graduated from high school and took music lessons. In 1903, Pearl was nineteen years old. She lived with her mother and older brothers in North Indianapolis, Indiana.

Homer Jarrett, at a later date.

Homer Jarrett was a cousin of Minnie’s husband, James Mullins. He was born in Harris County, GA in 1882. He completed 8th grade. During the time of the letters he was moving around a lot, from Indianapolis, to Pine Bluff Arkansas to St. Louis MO and back to Indiana. He eventually moved to Boston, MA where he made his living in real estate. He never married. According to his draft records, he was short, slender, tan complexion, black hair and blue eyes, . He died in Boston in 1959 at 77.

You can see the full list of letters here -> Pearl Reed Cleage’s Letters 1903-1905

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There was a technical problem with my host server that is blocking comments at the moment. It seems to be cleared up on this Sunday morning.

Knitting for Dee Dee

Biography, Detroit, Grahams, sepia saturday
My mother Doris Sewing in August 1944. Unfortunately no photo of her knitting.

In 1943, my mother was 20 years old. Excited about her first niece or nephew being born that year, she took a knitting class in college where she made some little outfits. Unfortunately, I don’t have a photo of my mother knitting, so I am sharing one of her sewing.

The Detroit Tribune Detroit, Michigan • Sat, Jun 19, 1943 Page 5

Have You Heard?

That Doris Graham is so thrilled over the prospects of becoming an aunt in the summer, that she, and not the prospective mama (Merry Vee Graham Elkins) is doing the knitting? Doris took a special course in knitting at Wayne last semester and is incorporating her learnings in an array of the dantiest, laciest tiny garments one could wish for.

May 1943 Detroit. Mershell Graham, Bud Elkins, Fannie Graham, Mary Vee Graham Elkins
“Dad – Bud – Mother – ? M Vee” “May 1943”
1943 Carrying D Dee
May 1943. “DD” on the way born 9/7/1943. Same date as Howard – his 9/7/28

Fannie Turner Graham, my grandmother, wrote this on the back of the photograph. Howard was her youngest child. He was born on the same day but 15 years earlier, as her first grandchild, Dee Dee. Howard died when he was only three. You can read about him here -> N – NINETEEN TWENTY EIGHT Howard Graham was born

From Doris Diane 1943 Xmas

I think Dee Dee is wearing a little knitted top here. Maybe from her Aunt Doris.

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