In the same spirit . . . my dear friend and neighbor Mary Arvis Giles Elam
turned 98 on May 22. Mrs. Elam is the daughter of a slave, James Giles,
born 1850. James was the youngest child of Judy Flournoy, aka Judy
Slaughter, aka Judy Giles. Judy was a slave on the Slaughter plantiation
adjacent to our current home, Westview (built 1832 by John Elam), here in
Charlotte County. The Elam and Slaughter slaves intermarried, and following
the war, Judy, James, and his siblings worked here at Westview; some were
also tenants. They are all buried here on our hill. Mrs. Elam's late
husband, John L. Elam, was the grandson of Westview slaves, Sam and Milly;
he was named for the man who built Westview.
Aunt Arvis, as she is known to everyone, is spry and sharp as a tack.
Although she was only two when her father died (he married late), her
grandparents, aunts and uncles survived well into the 20th century. She
says they did not often talk about slavery, yet she does have some wonderful
stories that have come down through the years. I am deeply involved in
researching the "genealogy" of Westview, white and black; with Aunt Arvis's
help I have put flesh to the names I am uncovering. When I take her hand, I
am but one step removed from the horror that was slavery -- a pretty
remarkable thing.
Tragically, two months ago, Aunt Arvis's home burned to the ground, taking
with it the only pictures ever taken of her father and grandfather, Daniel
Slaughter. Thankfully, she was rescued by a grandson.
I have no idea how many children of slaves or Civil War veterans still
survive -- it can't be many. Talking to Aunt Arvis has enriched my life ---
and given me a window on to history few are ever privileged to have.
Kathy Liston
Charlotte County, VA
----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Drake" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, May 31, 2004 7:00 PM
Subject: [VA-ROOTS] Last widow of a Civil War veteran dies - May 31, 2004
FYI ...................... then too L,T, and R, note the Stewart
connection.
http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/South/05/31/obit.martin.ap/index.html
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