Saturday, May 28, 2011

Who do you think they are?

This picture belonged to Mattie Lou EDWARDS SHOLES (1919-2003). She was a great great granddaughter of Jesse P CAUDILL (1795-1891). Mattie's parents Alta Blanche CAUDILL (1898-1996) and Lonnie EDWARDS (1894-1968) inherited the Jesse P homestead from Alta's parents Tyrell Robert CAUDILL (1850-1918) and Nancy Caroline FENDER (1853-1942) who inherited the property in 1891 from Jesse P's second wife Biddie BLEDSOE (1826-1904). The property was owned by Jesse P's descendants until 1997 when Mattie and a brother sold it after the death of their mother Alta Blanche.

The picture below was handed down through each generation who lived on the property. Mattie inherited it but did not know who the three people are. It's thought that the picture might be old enough to be Jesse P and Biddy. Taken some time before 1892? The one big stumbling block seems to be the question as to what race the old man might to be. Is he black? I think it would be highly unlikely that a southern white woman be sitting for a formal picture with a black man at her side holding a white child especially in the late 1800's? What do you think? Does anyone see any clues that might indicate the time frame?

FYI - Jesse P owned slaves and several are buried next to he and his two wifes in the family cemetery on the homestead property. 

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15 comments:

  1. Ed CaudillMay 29, 2011 at 7:58 AM

    What would be interesting is to compare pictures of other CAUDILL's from Jesse P's generation to see if there is any resemblance. Are there any pictures of CAUDILL's who would have been born in the late 1700's or early 1800's?

    ReplyDelete
  2. SteveJuly 8, 2011 at 12:22 PM

    I am very hesitant to add this to my collection of ancestors, as the gentleman in this photo appears to be black.

    Steve
    http://www.myheritage.com/site-47967421/caudell-caudill-frost-bowker-family

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownSeptember 17, 2015 at 5:29 PM

      And why should that matter?

      Delete
    2. UnknownNovember 9, 2015 at 6:12 AM

      i am one of Jesse P. and Biddy Great-Great Grandaughters. I think he is probably a little dark from working out on the farm for decades. Sounds right to me. And looks like one of his hands was burned too.

      Delete
  3. AnonymousSeptember 16, 2012 at 6:19 AM

    Biddie Bledsoe was 31 years younger that Jesse P. The woman doesn't look 31 years younger than the man in the picture to me.
    Roger Caudill

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. UnknownSeptember 17, 2015 at 5:30 PM

      Biddie died in 1904. The child in the photo is one of the grandkids.

      Delete
  4. Ed CaudillSeptember 16, 2012 at 8:30 AM

    I hadn't thought of that Roger but your right, the woman does not look anywhere near 31 years younger. Although I know people who look 30 years older than they are. I'd like to have the picture evaluated by someone who does that. Anyone know where we might find someone to do that for free?

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousOctober 9, 2013 at 1:45 PM

    Hello all. Tracing my family line to be a descendant of Jessie through Malachi. They are supposed to have cherokee blood running through them (at least that is what I heard growing up).

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousDecember 30, 2014 at 1:06 PM

    I am a Great Granddaughter of Candace Caudill one of Jesse P daughters.
    Would love to hear more about our family.

    ReplyDelete
  7. TracyApril 26, 2015 at 8:37 PM

    Does anyone have knowledge of who Jesse P's parents were and where the family originated from ?

    ReplyDelete
  8. UnknownSeptember 17, 2015 at 5:29 PM

    Tracy,

    Jesse's parents were james Caudill and Mary adams.

    ReplyDelete
  9. UnknownSeptember 17, 2015 at 5:32 PM

    I'm looking for more information on my family. I am the 3rd great granddaughter of Jesse and Biddie. Their son Tyrell is the line of the family I am from. Can anyone help?

    ReplyDelete
  10. UnknownNovember 10, 2015 at 9:16 AM

    I am a 3rd Great Grandaughter of them also. i think Tyrell was one of my Great Grandmothers brothers. Her name was Candace, she also had a twin sister Virginia Ellen plus a lot of other siblings.

    ReplyDelete

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