Grave Dedication Ceremony Commemorating the Patriot Service of Capt. Stephen Heard, Capt. John Darden, Georgia slave woman named Kate and her Husband named Jack.

The Unveiling Ceremony of the
Patriot Grave Markers for the
Georgia Slave woman named Kate and her Husband named Jack

October 15, 2011, in the city of Elberton, Georgia at the Stephen Heard cemetery many gathered to commemorate the patriot service of Capt. Stephen Heard, Capt. John Darden, a Georgia slave Woman named Kate and her husband Jack.

 The Georgia Society, Sons of the American Revolution including Button Gwinnett Chapter, George Washington Chapter, Virginia Society,  Samuel Elbert Chapter (Host Chapter), and Washington-Wilkes Chapter, along with the National Society Daugther of the American Revolution- Stephen-Heard Chapter (Trustee of the Historic Heardmont Cemetery -Elbert Country Georgia)  and The Kettle Creek Chapter, Georgia Society recognized four Patriots of the American Revolution, including the first female of color named Kate.    The recognition of this woman named Kate along with three others was a significant event.  

It was truly a proud moment for all Georgians as this occasion also honored the first and only female of Color in Georgia as a Patriot of the American Revolution.

Below are several photos that captured this day.

Posting the Colors
Ed Rigel, Sr.Color Guard Commander, Georgia Society Sons of the American Revolution 

Master of Ceremonies
Compatriot Bob Carr
State Secretary, Virginia Society SAR
President, George Washington Chapter,
Virginia Society SAR

Compatriot Bob Sapp

President,

Georgia Society
 Sons of the American Revolution

Brings Greetings

Compatriot Charlie Newcomer, III

Vice President General South Atlantic - 

 North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida

Patriot Service of Stephen HEARD
Provided by
Ann Whitney
Descendant of Patriot Stephen HEARD
Fauquier Court House DAR

Patriot Service of John Darden
Provided by Dr. John Darden
Descendant of Patriot John Darden 

Patriot Service of
The Georgia Slaves  KATE and Jack
Provided by LCDR Michael Nolden Henderson, USN Retired Vice- President, Button Gwinnett Chapter
Georgia Society, SAR

Unveiling of SAR Marker
for the Slave Woman named Kate and Husband Jack
LCDR Michael Nolden Henderson, USN Retired
and
Rev Sam McIntosh
Pastor, Vance Creek Baptist Church

LCDR Henderson and Pastor McIntosh 
return to their seats after Unveiling of the 
Patriotic Markers

Georgia Patriots of the American Revolution
Kate and her husband Jack

Reading of the Proclamation
Revolutionary War Service of
Governor Stephen Heard
by
Mr. Tommy Lyon - Chairman
of the
Elbert Country Board of Commissioners

Presentation of Wreath and Honors

Compatriot Jim Lynch

President,

Button Gwinnett Chapter

Georgia Society SAR

 William Day Chapter DAR 

Leslie Watkins

LCDR Michael Nolden Henderson, USN Retired
Vice- President, Button Gwinnett Chapter
Georgia Society, SAR

Rendering a Salute to

Georgia Patriots of the American Revolution

Kate and her husband Jack

Colonel Elijah Clark Militia, GASSAR
Renders a Salute

TAPS

Ed Rigel Jr.

Color Guard Member,

GASSAR

and

LCDR Michael Nolden Henderson USN Ret.

Georgia Society SAR, COLOR Guard

Retiring the colors

After the ceremony many gathered for photos and  well wishes:

Members of the Button Gwinnett Chapter Georgia Society SAR
(L) Compatriot Bruce Maney, Compatriot Henderson, Compatriot Terry Manning
And Compatriot Lynch

Guest and Descendants of
Patriot  Stephen Heard and John Darden

(L) Rev and Mrs. Sam McIntosh, LCDR Henderson, Mrs. Diana Mauldin,
Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy O. White

Fellow Compatriots Representing the
Virginia Society, SAR

LCDR  Henderson Congratulate Mrs. Julia CARR a descendant of Stephen Heard
and wife of Compatriot Carr for her authorship and narrative of the Life of
Patriot Stephen Heard
and his association with the
Georgia Patriots Kate and Jack 
For without the Heard family's oral remembrances passed on and told today this
would not have been possible. 

We will always remember the Patriotic Service
provided by Georgia Patriots
Kate and Jack
No longer Forgotten Patriots of the
American Revolution

The actual mentioning of Honoring the Service and Memory of Georgia’s Revolutionary War Patriots  Stephen Heard, John Darden, Mammy Kate, and Daddy Jack, Dionyuis Oliver and Peter Oliver in Congressional Record.    See page 208 of 229 or in the search box, type in Mammy Kate.

double click here: Congressional Record :

For the Historic Record

For additional coverage  see AJC article dated Oct 14, 2011, titled: Ceremony to honor patriotic Georgia slave woman

By Tammy Joyner 

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

In 1779, colonial Georgia was under siege and a future governor was set to be executed by the British. But the world's most powerful army at the time was no match for a shrewd and spirited slave woman.

Stephen Heard was wounded and jailed in Augusta for fighting against the Tories in Valentine's Day skirmish called Kettle Creek, just outside what's now Elbert County. When the woman known as "Mammy Kate" learned of Heard's capture, she rode 50 miles by horse to Augusta to help her owner. She devised a plan to wash clothes for the Tories which ultimately won Kate their trust, according to oral accounts of the incident which took place over a couple of months. Shortly before Heard's scheduled hanging, she asked soldiers if she could wash Heard's clothes so he wouldn't die in dirty clothes. They agreed. The six-foot-tall woman toted the diminutive Heard out of the prison in a laundry basket full of clothes. She and her husband, Daddy Jack, then carried him to safety. The couple's daring escapade saved Heard who was later appointed governor of Georgia. (Heard offered Kate her freedom but she preferred to stay with the Heard family).   See more here     

Mammy Kate Georgia Patriot in the American Revolution

Claude Thomas Pierre METOYER- A Louisiana Patriot of the American Revolution

Placed by
The Natchitoches Chapter
Louisiana Society Sons of
the American Revolution

Placed by
The St Denis Chapter,
National Society Daughters of
the American Revolution

Many gathered on a beautiful Saturday morning,  Oct 8, 2011 in the American Cemetery, Natchitoches, La for a  Patriotic grave marking of a Louisiana Patriot of the American Revolution named,  CLaude Thomas Pierre METOYER.  The two host chapters that sponsored the ceremony were the Natchitoches Chapter, Sons of the American Revolution  (SAR)  and the St Denis Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).   Both organizations placed their Patriotic markers on the Tomb of Patriot Metoyer.   Metoyer is the Progenitor of the Metoyer Family and many of his descendants were on hand to witness this honored ceremony.  Below are just a few pictures of that event.

Descendants of Claude Thomas Pierre Metoyer
 Dignitaries and Other Guest

Compatriot Tony Vets  
President,
The Natchitoches Chapter SAR

Demon Battalion ROTC,
Northwestern
 State University 

Presenting Colors

                      

Pledge of Allegiance

The Honorable
Mildred E. Methvin
5th Great Granddaughter of
Claude Thomas Pierre METOYER

Descendants and Guest

Presentation of a Wreath

Michael Nolden Henderson
Lieutenant Commander, USN Retired
Vice-President,
Button Gwinnett Chapter
Georgia Society,
Sons of the American Revolution

Claude Thomas Pierre METOYER
LOUISIANA PATRIOT
of the American Revolution who served under command of
Spanish Colonial Governor General
Bernardo de Galvez

(L) Fr. John Cunningham,
Tony Vets, President Natchitoches Chapter SAR,
The Honorable Mildred E. Methvin,
LCDR Michael Henderson, VP Button Gwinnett Chapter, Georgia SAR
Dr. Colleen Lancaster, Regent St Denis Chapter DAR,
Compatriot Clifford Normand, La Society SAR Registrar,
Spanish Soldier, Charleen Kennedy, Regent, Les Repides Chapter DAR

Tony Vets, LCDR Michael Henderson, Clifford Normand

Elaine Phillips Webster (5th Great Granddaughter)
 Cousin Barbara Henderson, Frances Henderson
(Aunt and member of DAR),
Karen Phillips Alonzo and Kathleen Phillips Newbill
(5th Great Granddaughters)
Back Row Cousins Jacqueline Henderson and LCDR Michael Henderson

Parents of Elaine, Kathleen and Karen,
Donald Jr, Donovan and Damon
Donald Phillips Sr. and Lucille Metoyer

A tribute to my Aunt
Lucille METOYER 
1934 - 1995
4th Generation Great GrandDaughter
of
CLAUDE THOMAS PIERRE METOYER
A Louisiana Patriot of the
American Revolution

Many Thanks to
Compatriot Tony Vets Sr.
 For Making this an
Outstanding Event

 Thanks to the Spanish Soldiers and Militiamen
who served under the Command of The
 Spanish Colonial Louisiana Governor General
Bernardo de Galvez
We will always remember
your contributions

Got Proof! A Genealogy Journey Through The Use Of Documentation And Display Boards

Got Proof!
 A Genealogy Journey Through the 
Use of Documentation

        On Saturday, Sept 24, 2011, I was honored to be the guest speaker at the 11th Anniversary of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS), Metro-Atlanta chapter monthly meeting held at the National Archives Records Administration in Atlanta, Ga.  My presentation focused on “Telling the story of my 4th Generation Great-Grandparents and how I traced my ancestry to an American Revolutionary war soldier.”  

       My presentation included several display boards showing the various ancestral lines I am researching and a powerpoint presentation called,  “Got Proof! A Genealogy Journey Through the Use of Documentation." My research goes back to my fourth generation great-grandparents -- a former slave (double click) name Agnes,  who gained her freedom on December 16, 1779, and her French consort, an American Revolutionary War Patriot named Mathieu Devaux dit Platilla. The display boards showed the various generations and documents that helped make me eligible for induction into the National Society Sons of the American Revolution.

       Later, I was honored with a Certificate of Appreciation from AAGHS for my presentation. Here are a few pictures from the event.
      

Guests and members of AAGHS, Metro Atlanta

Picture of our grandmother
Nellie MATHIEU,
 the great-granddaughter
 and my younger sister
Jane Henderson BRONNER, 
the 4th generation great granddaughter of
Agnes Mathieu

AAHGS-Metro Atlanta 
guests reviewing my family display boards

My sister Jane sharing our family's history
with AAHGS guests and members

Lots of proof shown through many
documents and charts

Certificate of Appreciation
 presented by Stanley Thomas,
 AAHGS-Atlanta Co-Chair, Education & Programs Committee

AAHGS Metro Atlanta Chapter
Sept 24, 2011

Got Living Proof !
3rd and 4th generation great-grandchildren of
Agnes Mathieu and Mathieu Devaux
Jane, Michael, Frances (my mom) and Cynthia

Frances Henderson (mom) and Michael Henderson
  outside the 
National Archives Southeast Region building in Atlanta,Ga
Sept 24, 2011

Marriage Records and 1850 Census Record Poses Interesting Mystery

1850 Louisiana Census
Auguste METOYER
Marie Leda MEYOYER
Widow Leanore METOYER alias
Seferina Elina Cristophe

My research continues as I look for more clues and records that will prove my family's ancestral connection to a line of METOYERs.   Would you believe it,  I have come across yet another interesting mystery that is now presenting several new challenges.   First, I am trying to determine when and if the parents listed on a METOYER ancestor's baptismal record discovered in Tampico Mexico were married in Mexico, Louisiana or if they were married at all.  And secondly, how are those discovered on an 1850 Louisiana Census in New Orleans related to one and other?

Note:  I am highlighting Auguste METOYER and Seferina Elina Cristophe, to show information discovered that hopefully will tie the two together as part of my family tree. So far, what I currently have is a copy of the 1850 Louisiana census record and 1861 Baptismal record discovered in Tampico, Mexico.

Shown on the document above (the 1850 Louisiana Census record) are the same names that appear on a baptismal record found in Tampico Mexico in 1861.  One of the individuals shown on the 1850 census has added additional mystery which will require finding other documents to help clarify who was the the person listed as Widow Leanore Metoyer, age 33 years old.  As you will see later in this blog posting, I was able to determine that this was in fact, Seraphina Eline CRISTOPHE.

  

There were two others also listed: Marie Leda Metoyer, age 13  and Auguste Metoyer, age 30.  The 1850 census did not mention if the Widow Leanore Metoyer and Auguste Metoyer were married or whether the 13 year-old Marie Leda Metoyer was the daughter of the two adults.  The document did  prove that these three were indeed living in New Orleans as early as 23rd of August 1850 when this census was recorded.  I was not able to find a 1860 census that recorded them as still being in New Orleans. Therefore, I assume their departure for Mexico may have taken place before that census was taken.  According to the baptismal record,  Auguste Dorestant METOYER and Seferina Elina Cristophe’s son was born 5 Mar 1860 in Tampico, Mexico and baptized a year later, on 20 April 1861.    (A little side note: The civil war started 12 April 1861)

As I looked for other clues about the two adults mentioned in the 1850 census, I came across two marriage records that  helped  me to determine the previous spouses of both the Widow Leanore Metoyer,  Auguste Metoyer and his parents names Auguste METOYER, ( yes, another generation found).  See below.

The following was  recorded in the Natchitoches Church Marriages 1818-1850:  Translated abstracted from the Registers of St Francois des Natchitoches Louisiana, Mills. states

ABSTRACTS OF MARRIAGE RECORD:

339                 Jean Baptist Leandre METOYER (s)

#25- 1836        Seraphin Elina Cristophe              (s)

                       3 November 1836

Groom: Minor and Legitimate son of Jean Baptist METOYER and Suzette ANTY.   Bride: Minor and legitimate daughter Firmen CHRISTOPE and Franoise MAYEUX.   All are free persons of color and residents of the Parish of Natchitoches.   Witnesses:  C.N. Roques (S)  J.B.L. Metoyer (S), Louis MOREN (F)  F. Conant (S) Firm CHRISTOPHE (s):  J. BTE METOYER,  Fils, Augustin (s) Priest FRANCAIS.

   
                                                                                                 

                       Auguste Dorestan METOYER (s)
                       Seraphine LLORENS  (X)

                       11 November 1841

Groom:  Major and Legitimate son of Pierre METOYER and Henriette CLOUTIER.   Bride: Minor and Legitimate daughther of Seraphin LLORENS and Aspasie METOYER.  Married at Isle Brevelle Chapel after disparsation from impediment of consagunity in third degree.  Witnesses:  N.P. METOYER (s), J. VALCOUR METOYER (s) Brd DAUPHINE (s); C.N. ROQUES fils (s):  J.L.METOYER (s)  F.C. CHRISTOPHE (S), Suzanne LLORENS(s), Arenine LLOREN (s)  PRIEST STEHLE.

As we see from the above marriage records, both Auguste Dorestant METOYER and Serephine Elina CRISTOPHE were previously married.  Also that the person listed as Widow Leanore Metoyer on the 1850 census in Louisiana was actually the spouse of  Jean Baptist Leandre METOYER.  It appeares that the person who indexed this record used an “o” instead of a “d” when recording information. 


I still have not determined when Jean Baptist Leandre METOYER died.  However, as we saw his spouse was listed as a widow by 1850 and was then living in the household with two other individuals who shared the same METOYER surname. There is still more that needs clarification here.

As for Auguste METOYER,  Interestingly, his spouse who is mentioned in the 1841 marriage abstract record has the same first name, SERAPHINA, as the mother mentioned on his son (Eusevio Marie Rauld METOYER CRISTOPHE's) baptismal record 1861 in Tampico, Mexico.  What this document has also provided me with is yet another generation and the name of Auguste ME'sTOYER's  parents,  Pierre METOYER, II and Henritte CLOUTIER.  I still have to find other documents which will help prove a few other concerns,  However, for now,  I believe what I have on these individuals are starting to tell an interesting story.  Stay tuned.   More to come later.

Metoyer Ancestors Found On The 1850 Louisiana Census

1850 Louisiana Census
 Auguste METOYER

Having found evidence of  members of my Metoyer family living, born and baptized in Tampico, Mexico.  I wanted to know, if I could find evidence of when the parents of Eusevio Marie Raould METOYER CRISTOPHE arrived from Louisiana to Tampico Mexico and departed from Tampico Mexico back to Louisiana. Where there any documents established that might give some possible time period in which I might determine this?  

Here is what is known from the Baptismal record of Eusevio Marie Raould METOYER  CRISTOPHE,  It listed the date,  he was born: 05 Mar 1860 and placed: Parroquia Del Sagrario, Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico also where he was baptisted : 20 April 1861 and place :Parroquia Del Sagrario, Tampico, Tamaulipas, Mexico.  5 March 1860.

Listed also in this document were the names of four individuals.  The parents:  Father named: Aguste (Auguste) Dorestant METOYAR (METOYER)  and Mother named : Zeferina Elina Cristophe.   The godparents were also listed:  Gustava Juan CHEVEILLER and Marie Leda METOYER.

Now since the birth and baptism dates of Eusevio Marie Raould METOYER CRISTOPHER  are known, it is safe to say,  the mother and possibly father were there in Mexico, however,  we are not sure when Gustava Juan CHEVEILLER and Marie Leda METOYER first arrived or departed Tampico Mexico or how are they related.  Marie Leda Metoyer carries the same surname as Auguste Dorestant METOYER, so could this also indicate a possible family connection.  But Gustave Juan Cheveiller, it is not known how he is related yet.

1850 Louisiana Census Index
Auguste METOYER

What I have found as indicated in the above 1850 Louisiana census is that three of the four adults that were seen on the 1861 baptism record discovered in Tampico Mexico.  This indication that they were indeed living in Louisiana before they were found in Mexico.  We still don’t know what made them go there in the first place.  I have determined that Widow Leandre METOYER is (Seraphine Elina Cristophe) whose Husband Jean Baptist Leandre METOYER, died a few years earlier. Marie Leda Metoyer and Auguste METOYER are living in same household.  I have not determined who is Saul Rouge or how he fit in this family.  Another mystery.

1850 Louisiana Census
Gustave Chevalier

Another document discovered listed Gustave Chevelier as a 17 year old on the Louisiana 1850 census. I have found indication that Gustave J. Chevallier and Marie Leda Metoyer were Married: 31 May 1856 according reference: Marriage Records  Natchitoches Parish.   Also listed on the  1860 Louisiana was a Gustave Chevalier also listed see below.

1860 Louisiana Census
Gustave Chevailer

So as we see from the few documents above, we have discovered proof indicating those found listed as parents and godparent on Eusevio Marie Raould METOYER CRISTOPHE Baptism record  did in fact live in Louisiana,  yet with the  many pieces of information that have been found, I am still not sure what cause them to leave in the first place.  Maybe I can find a little historical context about the local political climate during the 1850”s in Louisiana that may help explain a few things.  Stay tuned