Participant Info

Slaveholder

Junius Ward

Locations

Washington County, Mississippi

Researcher

Julie Stevens

Researcher's E-mail

slbelle AT hotmail.com

Researcher Location

Comments

Junius lived in Scott County, Kentucky, and Washington County, Mississippi. He had a number of enslaved at each location. The ones listed here are from Mississippi, enslaved to Junius &/or his son, George Ward. Junius's plantation(s) were located at Lake Washington. George had a plantation near Leota Landing. 1. REUBEN FOX: Reuben participated in the WPA slave narrative project. In that narrative, he stated his master’s name was Mr. June Ward and his wife Miss Matilda; later stating that son George Ward took charge of the place, and so he, Reuben, considered George his master. Born 1863, in Mississippi. Son of ISAAC FOX and AMANDA LEE. Lived with his mother on Elmwood (George Ward's place) after the war; remained there until his mother died in 1879. By 1912 living in Clarksdale; lived in Clarksdale from at least 1912 until 1948, when last seen in city directory. Not on 1949 or 1951 Clarksdale directory. Reuben applied for a child's pension based on his father Isaac's service. He never received the pension. The pension record is not online. Contact me for further information. Reuben married three times: Sophia Unknown; Liza Unknown; Mary Unknown 2. ISAAC FOX: father of REUBEN FOX. Born 1825 Mississippi. Died 18 August 1863, at Milliken's Bend Louisiana, while in the service. Served as a Private in Company A of the 8th Louisiana Infantry A.D.; joined 1 May 1863, at the unit's organization. Per son Reuben's 1912 deposition, Isaac was a slave of John Violet, who sold him to George Ward at Leota Landing. Lived at Elmwood, the George Ward plantation at Leota Landing. Had one child HENRY FOX with SARAH WHITE. Henry died as a child, during the war. Had sons WEST and REUBEN with AMANDA LEE. 3. AMANDA "MANDY" LEE: Born circa 1840, Mississippi. Died 3 July 1879, Leota Landing, Washington County, Mississippi. (some say she died 1872). Buried at the Elmwood Plantation. Elder John Crusaw buried her. Daughter of PETER LEE and SUSAN "SOOKIE" LEE. Mother of WEST FOX and REUBEN FOX, and at least one other child who died in infancy. Sister of BETSY LEE. Though she had children by Isaac Fox, they did not live together, and were never recognized as husband and wife. Per numerous accounts, Mandy was a slave of George Ward at the Elmwood Plantation near Leota Landing. She never left. She and son Reuben remained on Elmwood after the war. She died there in 1872/1879, and is buried on the Elmwood grounds. Information about Mandy gleaned from Reuben's slave narrative, as well as his pension application records. The pension records are not online. Contact me. 4. WEST FOX: per Reuben's slave narrative, he had a brother WEST, who was born after his grandparents and two other family members came to Mississippi. Per Reuben's pension application file, West died in 1866, at the age of 15 years. (alternatively stated as having died prior to Reuben's birth in 1863). 5. PETER LEE: maternal grandfather of REUBEN FOX; father of AMANDA "MANDY" LEE. Per Reuben's slave narrative, slave traders brought his grandparents from Kentucky, and sold them to "Old Master" (Junius). Information about Peter gleaned from Reuben's slave narrative, as well as his pension application records. The pension records are not online. Contact me. 6. SUSAN 'SOOKIE" LEE: Per Reuben's slave narrative, slave traders brought his grandparents from Kentucky, and sold them to Old Master (Junius Ward). Reuben further stated that his grandmother, "Granny", wife of Peter Lee, was brought to Mississippi from Kentucky by slave traders and sold to Junius Ward. Fellow slave, Laura Johnson, in her 1913 deposition stated that Mandy (Reuben's mother) was the daughter of Susan or Sookie Lee. Information about Sooke gleaned from Reuben's slave narrative, as well as his pension application records. The pension records are not online. Contact me for further information. 7. BETSY LEE: Reuben Fox, in his 1913 deposition, stated that his mother Mandy had a sister BETSY LEE. Betsy gave a deposition in support of Reuben's claim for pension. In that, she stated that she was a slave owned by George Ward, and that she lived on the Elmwood Plantation. Betsy, like several of the EPs from the Wards plantations, apparently never left the area. In 1912, Betsy was living "somewhere on Lake Washington." In 1913, when she gave her deposition, she stated she was living at Leota. She and JEMIMA RUMMAGE (see below) were living together in the same house. Information about Sarah gleaned from Reuben Fox's pension application papers. These are not online. Contact me for further information. 8. SARAH WHITE: Sarah and ISAAC FOX lived together as husband and wife on the Elmwood plantation (George Ward's place near Leota Landing). One child, HENRY FOX, who died during the war. Left Elmwood with Isaac, when Isaac went to join the army. Per fellow EP Jemima Rummage, Sarah died "down the river somewhere." Information about Sarah gleaned from Reuben Fox's pension application papers. These are not online. Contact me for further information. 9. HENRY FOX: noted above. Son of ISAAC FOX and SARAH WHITE. Died during the war. Given the various accounts showing Ike and Sarah living together as man and wife on Elmwood plantation, as slaves of George Ward, presume son Henry born at Elmwood, and a Ward slave as well. Information on him located in the Reuben Fox pension application file. Not online. Contact me for further information. 10. JEMIMA RUMMAGE: b. circa 1811, KY; d. after 1913; m. Henry Rummage; enumerated on 1880 and 1910 census in Washington Co MS; gave deposition in support of Reuben Fox's pension claim, 1913, Washington Co MS, stated therein that she had been a slave of Junius Ward; lived on Elmwood plantation before the war. Do NOT yet know if Henry was also a slave of Junius, but suspect he was. Henry was born circa 1810 in Ky, and died sometime between 1880 and 1910. 11. LAURA (nee Walker) JOHNSON: b. 1832-1847 (records vary greatly), MS; d. 20 Nov 1923, near Leota, Washington Co, MS; m. WARREN JOHNSON (see below) 1858/1864. Children Warren, Mahaly, William, Presly, George, and 3 others Per Maria Taylor’s Freedman Record, 1870, Laura and Maria were born on the same plantation. Maria stated that she was born on the Victor Flournoy plantation. That plantation was located in Washington County. In her 1913 deposition, made in conjunction with her claim for a widow’s pension, Laura stated that she was a slave owned by Col. George Ward before the war, “right here on this plantation.” At the time she made her deposition, Laura was living at George Ward’s Elmwood plantation. Laura was also an enslaved of Junius Ward, George Ward’s father. George Ward, in a 1905 affidavit, stated that , had known Laura Johnson all her life, and that Laura belonged to, and was raised by his father. Additionally, Laura herself stated that she came to George Ward’s plantation until after she was married. Laura married Warren Johnson on December 25, 1858. They were married by George Johnson, at the “West Brook Plantation,” located 3-4 miles southeast of Chatham, Mississippi. Other records show they were married at Junius Ward’s place (which was at Lake Washington). This may or may not be the West Brook Plantation. Laura, in her 1913 deposition, stated that she was married on “Col. George Ward’s father’s place before she came to George Ward’s place. Warren and Laura married again, December 1, 1864, by C.W. Buckley, the Chaplain in the 47th USCI. Following the war, Warren and Laura farmed and lived at/near Leota Landing, in Washington County. They are enumerated on the 1870, 1880, and 1900 US Federal Census, in Washington County. Warren (see below) died in 1905. Laura is enumerated on the 1910 census as residing at the Elmwood Plantation. That plantation, owned by George Ward, was near Leota Landing. Laura was head of household, with her son Warren and granddaughter Georgia in the home. Records show that Laura was also living at Elmwood in 1912 and 1913. Laura is enumerated on the 1920 federal census as residing in her son Warren’s home on the Leota Road in Washington County, Mississippi. Laura received a widow’s pension after Warren’s death. Laura died near Leota on November 20, 1923. Dr. Walker of Longwood, Mississippi, tended to Laura in her last illness. According to pension records, Laura is buried “near Leota” Laura was survived by son Warren. She also had children Mahaly, William, Presly, George, and three others, names unknown. Information gleaned from the federal census records, Freedman’s Bank Records, and the pension records for Warren and Laura Johnson, on file at NARA. 12. WARREN JOHNSON: b. May 1834, MS; d. 24 Feb 1905, Washington County, MS; m. Laura Walker (see above); served in Co A 47th USCT. George V. Ward, in an affidavit made in 1904, in support of Laura Johnson’s claim for widow’s pension, attested to Warren’s birth in 1834, and stated “his father Junius R. Ward was the owner of Warren Johnson.” In other testimony by George V. Ward and his brother Junius R. Ward, in 1898, the brothers stated that Warren belonged to George V. Ward before the war. Laura Johnson, in her 1913 depoaition, stated that she was the widow of Warren Johnson, who served in Co A of the 47th USCI; she further stated that she and Warren were married in 1858 when she was on George Ward’s father’s place (Junius Ward’s place), and that she went to George Ward’s place (Elmwood plantation) after she and Warren married Warren and Laura first married on December 25, 1858. They were married again on December 1864, by the chaplain of the 47th USCI Warren served in the 47th USCI from the date of organization, May 1, 1863, until the unit mustered out on January 5, 1866. He attained the rank of sergeant. He was described in his military records as being 5’6” with a dark complexion. Following the war, Warren and Laura farmed and lived at/near Leota Landing, in Washington County. They are enumerated on the 1870, 1880, and 1900 US Federal Census, in Washington County. Warren applied for an invalid pension on 1883. He claimed he had injured his left shoulder while building barracks in November 1864, while building barracks; he also claimed disability from chronic diarrhea, hemorrhoids, and a ruptured bladder, which he sustained when he fell on a flag pole he was carrying. Warren’s pension was approved in 1890. Laura received a widow’s pension after Warren’s death. Warren died at his home near Leota Landing. Dr. E.W. Inman tended Warren in Warren’s last illness. Brown Miles, Pastor of the Baptist Church near Leota Landing, was in charge of the funeral. Warren was buried on or about 25 February 1905. Do not know where, but presume someplace around Leota Landing, perhaps even on Elmwood plantation itself. Warren was survived by wife Laura and three children, one of whom was Warren Jr. . He owned 2 horses, was not insured, and did not leave a will. Information gleaned from federal census records, as well as Warren and Laura’s pension record, on file at NARA. 13. SISTER OF LAURA JOHNSON: Laura Walker Johnson, in her 1913 deposition given in support of Reuben Fox’s claim for pension, mentioned that she had a sister, and that her sister was married on Col. George Ward’s place; married by the overseer. 14. MARK OLIVER: Mark participated in the WPA Slave Narrative Project. In that, he stated that his "master" was June Ward. Born 1856, in Mississippi. Son of JAMES OLIVER and FANNIE UNKNOWN. Fannie died when Mark was just a baby. Mark had a sister JEMIMA, older than he. He had another sister who died in infancy. He also had grandparents ENA and GRANDPA STEVENS. Mark stated in his slave narrative that Junius Ward brought "all of my folks" to the plantation in Washington County, Mississippi, from Kentucky. Thus presume that all mentioned - James, Fannie, Jemima, Ena, and Grandpa Stevens, were all slaves of Junius Ward. Mark and his grandmother stayed on at the Ward plantation following the war. Mark eventually moved to Greenville, in about 1870. He is enumerated on the 1880 census as residing in Washington County, and working as a farm hand. Mark lived in Greenville for 40 years. In addition to working as a farm hand, he also worked at the oil mill. Mark married two times. He first married Linnie. Together they were the parents of four children: two boys, one of whom was named Mark, and two girls, Margaret and Carrie Belle. In the late 1930s, Carrie Belle was living in Chicago, and one son was working as a cook in a restaurant in Clarksdale, Mississippi. The other two children were dead. After Linnie's death, Mark married Betsy. Mark moved to Coahoma County in 1910. Mark is listed in the 1916 Clarksdale City Directory as residing at 212 Adams, in Riverton. He was working as a teamster. Mark and Betsy are enumerated on the 1920 census as residing in Clarksdale. Mark was working as a "drayman." The 1927 and 1929 Clarksdale City Directory list Mark as residing at 333 Quincy. Mark was a member of the Baptist church. In about 1937, Mark gave a narrative of his time as a slave for Junius Ward. At this time, I do not know where Mark is buried 15: JAMES OLIVER: Father of Mark Oliver. Per Mark’s slave narrative, his father was Jim Oliver; raised Mark after Fannie died, but then he “ran off” and joined the Yankee army; Given that Mark was owned by Junius Ward, and given Mark’s statement that his father raised him & Junius brought all his family to Mississippi from Kentucky, presume Jim was slave owned by Junius Ward A James Oliver served as a Private in Company E of the 8th Louisiana Infantry, AD, which later became the 47th USCI (same regiment in which Isaac Fox served). Served 1 May 1863 to 5 January 1866 Born circa 1818: military records list him as 45 years old at enlistment in 1863 16: FANNIE OLIVER: Mother of Mark Oliver. Per Mark’s slave narrative, his mother Fannie Oliver died when he was a baby. Given that Mark was owned by Junius Ward, and given Mark’s statement that Junius brought all his family to Mississippi from Kentucky, presume Fannie was slave owned by Junius Ward 17: ENA: Grandmother of Mark Oliver; Per Mark’s slave narrative, his “Grandma Ena and Grandpa Stevens” took care of him and raised him after his father left to join the Union Army. Given that Mark was owned by Junius Ward, and given Mark’s statement that Junius brought all his family to Mississippi from Kentucky, presume Ena was slave owned by Junius Ward 18: GRANDPA STEVENS: Grandfather of Mark Oliver; per Mark’s slave narrative, his “Grandma Ena and Grandpa Stevens” took care of him and raised him after his father left to join the Union Army. Given that Mark was owned by Junius Ward, and given Mark’s statement that Junius brought all his family to Mississippi from Kentucky, presume Grandpa Stevens was slave owned by Junius Ward 19: JOEMIMA: Sister of Mark Oliver; Mark, in his slave narrative, stated that he had a sister Joemima, who was “most grown” and helped care for him. Given that Mark was owned by Junius Ward, presume his sister was also a Ward slave 20: "AUNT SYLVIA": Mark Oliver, in his slave narrative, related there was one woman by the name of “Aunt Sylvia” who Mark described as a good thinker and being “so smart she foreknowed things before they took place.” According to Mark, his “master” (Junius Ward) repeatedly said he “wouldn’t take nothing in this world for her.” Aunt Sylvia apparently also “gave the lecture” at the slaves prayer meetings. 21: "UNCLE"; Mark Oliver, in his slave narrative, stated that he had a uncle who would leave the plantation every time “Master” (Junius Ward) left and then return when “Master” returned. According to Mark, his uncle was an “ax man” and not a “field hand” as the overseers tried to make him 22: MALE - a carpenter: Mark Oliver, in his slave narrative related stories about a fellow slave who was the carpenter for the plantation. He was “another pretty smart one among the slaves.” He made all the beds that they slept on, each with a tester. He also made all the coffins. 23. HARRISON HENDERSON: b. circa 1840, MS; d. 1925, Washington Co, MS; m. Mary Cellen; known children Rachel, James, Willis, John - all born after war; served in Co C 47th USCT; present at first marriage of Warren and Laura Johnson, which was held on Junius Ward's plantation in 1858; gave deposition in support of Laura's claim for widow's pension, stated he had lived in the locality (Leota Landing, Washington Co) all his life, and had known Laura and Warren since childhood; Laura and Warren known slaves of Junius & George Ward; reasonable to conclude that Harrison was also slave of Junius &/or George Ward. ~~~~~ POSSIBLES: 1. MALVINA (ALEXANDER) STRAUSS HOPKINS 2. MARIA (TOLLIVER) TAYLOR For information on these two, see SH Victor Flournoy, Washington County, Mississippi

On-line Tree or Website

Join mailing list?

2

Beyond Kin Researcher?

2